Ginger market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The ginger market in Southern Asia expanded from 2.3 million tons in 2018 to over 3 million tons in 2022, driven by increased production in India. Farmers in states such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra substituted other crops with ginger due to higher returns, while continuous growth in cultivated area and productivity boosted output. This supply increase was further supported by rising global demand, which helped dry ginger exports recover and encouraged additional cultivation.

After reaching a peak, the market volume contracted to 2.8 million tons in 2023 as production fell by nearly 10%. This occurred despite strong consumer interest in ginger's health benefits, such as its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, and ongoing government initiatives promoting ginger farming as a profitable opportunity. The decline highlights the market's sensitivity to supply-side adjustments, even amid favorable demand conditions.

Production ginger in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Ginger production in Southern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 303 thousand tonnes of ginger, marking a moderate increase of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 58.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 16.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The ginger market in Southern Asia showed an unstable trend over the observed period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while output peaked in 2020, resulting in a 1.8-fold swing between these years. In 2020, the value of ginger production reached 36 610 million US dollars in Southern Asia, reflecting a strong uptick of 22.4% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 14.8%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2018, with a jump of 77.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ginger from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Ginger exports from Southern Asia experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports reaching a peak in 2018, showing a 3.5-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 2.6 thousand tonnes, up by 94.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.7 thousand tonnes, while the minimum was in 2019 at 1.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 71.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Germany were the key destinations for ginger exports in kind, together accounting for 1.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ginger exports from Southern Asia totaled 6.7 million US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 9.9 million US dollars, while the minimum was in 2019 at 6.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 32.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 45.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for ginger exports in value terms from Southern Asia was quite broad. Germany and the United States each accounted for 6.1% of exports in value terms, while Saudi Arabia represented 1.9%. Together, these three countries made up 14.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports ginger to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Ginger imports into Southern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 158.7 thousand tonnes of ginger, indicating a strong decline of 16.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 201.7 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for ginger imports in kind were China, Thailand, and Myanmar. Together, they accounted for 76.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Asia imported ginger worth 191.8 million US dollars, amounting to a strong improvement of 16.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 164.5 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Myanmar played the leading roles in ginger imports in value terms to Southern Asia. China accounted for 57.1% of imports in value terms, Thailand for 14.0%, and Myanmar for 7.1%. Together, these three countries jointly took 78.2% of total import flows.

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

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