Ginger market in French Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the ginger market in French Polynesia remained relatively stable, with annual production consistently around 60–62 metric tons and market volume fluctuating between 62 and 64 metric tons. This period was characterized by limited growth in local cultivation, as farmers preferred to plant more profitable vegetables, reducing the land dedicated to ginger. Simultaneously, irregular deliveries to large supermarkets and a shift toward direct sales to small local shops constrained the product's availability in mainstream retail channels.

The market experienced a notable shift in 2021, when volume surged to 69.4 metric tons, primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports to 6.4 metric tons. However, by 2022, a ginger shortage impacted the islands, particularly Raiatea, because seeds planted in October 2021 had not yet been harvested in early 2022, tightening local supply. High costs led retailers to avoid external imports, reinforcing dependence on domestic production and making the market vulnerable to agricultural cycles. This supply constraint contributed to a contraction in market volume, which returned to approximately 63 metric tons in 2022 and stabilized near 63 metric tons in 2023, with restaurants adapting by preserving chopped ginger in oil to manage temporary scarcity.

Production ginger in French Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

The ginger market in French Polynesia showed an unstable trend during the analyzed period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a peak of 62 000 kg in 2019, representing a {ampRatio}-fold increase from the minimum. In 2020, production declined to 60 000 kg, marking a 3.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest year-on-year growth was recorded in 2019 at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in French Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports ginger from French Polynesia

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from French Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France was the sole destination for ginger exports from French Polynesia, accounting for 100.0% of all export flows in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France completely dominated the value of ginger exports from French Polynesia, capturing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports ginger to French Polynesia

Imports in kind, kg

After declining for two consecutive years, ginger imports to French Polynesia rebounded in 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 839 kg, then increased to 2 125 kg in 2020, representing a 15.6% gain compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 40.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.8%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 30.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to French Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and the United States consistently led the country structure of ginger imports to French Polynesia in volume terms. China accounted for 41.6% of imports, Vietnam for 17.2%, and the United States for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of ginger imports to French Polynesia increased in 2020. Import value dropped to its minimum in 2019 at 18 618 US dollars, then rose to 24 296 US dollars in 2020, corresponding to a 30.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.5%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018, when import value fell by 23.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, France, and the United States played the leading roles in the value of ginger imports to French Polynesia. China accounted for 53.6% of import value, France for 14.6%, and the United States for 11.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.9% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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