Ginger market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, abundant harvests in Côte d’Ivoire maintained high ginger supply, though local oversupply pressured prices. Simultaneously, Nigeria’s ginger sector began organizing through a national producers association to enhance its export potential. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 spurred a surge in local demand across the region, particularly in Togo, where ginger was sought for its perceived health benefits, boosting domestic consumption even as border closures temporarily disrupted trade flows.

After 2020, rising ginger prices in Côte d’Ivoire provided further incentive for production. A key driver was the growing global market for ginger extract, used in condiments, juices and alcoholic beverages, which increased demand for raw ginger from West Africa and fueled a sharp rise in exports. By 2023, countries like Burkina Faso were actively supplying dried ginger for regional export, while Togo maintained an estimated 60 000 t of annual output despite persistent challenges with seeds and plant diseases.

For 2024, Nigeria—the region’s leading producer—was estimated to rebound to around 160 000 t in the 2024/2025 season. Across ECOWAS, structured efforts such as Togo’s investment plan aimed to organize production and processing to capture more value from the ginger chain, reinforcing the region’s export-oriented growth trajectory.

Production ginger in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, ginger production in ECOWAS rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 723.2 thousand tons of ginger, marking a modest 2.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 703.1 thousand tons, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports ginger from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 13.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 8 242 tons of ginger, representing a dramatic 193.7% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.7%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 371.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, ginger exports from ECOWAS were widely distributed across multiple partner countries. India accounted for 16.9% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 9.0%, and Germany for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 30.5% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated an unstable pattern throughout this period. Values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 13.2-fold fluctuation. In 2020, ginger exports from ECOWAS reached 12 387 thousand US dollars, which represents a 317.6% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, ECOWAS's ginger export market featured a broad range of buyers. India accounted for 21.2% of exports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates for 14.1%, and Germany for 12.4%. Combined, these three countries contributed only 47.7% of total export value, with numerous other countries holding smaller but meaningful shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Imports ginger to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations characterized import performance during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with an 11.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS imported 568 tons of ginger, representing a 74.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 207 tons, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 276.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of ginger imports into ECOWAS was highly diversified. China accounted for 26.1% of imports in kind, India for 2.1%, and the United Kingdom for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 29.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 70.7% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 6.1-fold variation. In 2020, ginger imports into ECOWAS amounted to 1 052 thousand US dollars, representing a 55.9% decrease compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 386 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 354.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China dominated as the main supplier of ginger to ECOWAS, accounting for 52.5% of imports in value terms. India followed with 8.3%, and the United Kingdom with 6.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.6% of total import value during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020