Ginger market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the ginger market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa remained stable at around 772-773 thousand tonnes, with no major shifts in production or trade.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly altered market dynamics in 2020. Demand for ginger surged due to its perceived health benefits, driving prices sharply higher and encouraging farmers to expand plantings. This led to a rise in production to 797 thousand tonnes in 2020 and a further increase to 825 thousand tonnes in 2021, with the total market volume growing to 810 thousand tonnes.

In the post-pandemic period of 2022, the market volume temporarily declined to 798 thousand tonnes. This occurred despite production rising to 869 thousand tonnes, as a sharp increase in exports to 79 thousand tonnes redirected supply abroad. Concurrently, ample rains improved crop quality and larger volumes entered the market, causing ginger prices to fall to about a tenth of their COVID-19 peak levels. By 2023, the market volume recovered to 810 thousand tonnes alongside continued production growth.

Production ginger in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, ginger production in Sub-Saharan Africa saw an increase. In 2020, the region produced 796.9 K t of ginger, marking a modest 3.5% gain compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 14%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 769.8 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 16.5% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decrease, the value of ginger production in Sub-Saharan Africa rose. In 2020, ginger output was valued at 1 544 M $ US in the region, showing a strong 19.1% increase from the year before. Over the 2017 to 2020 period, however, production value declined by 29.6%, averaging an 11.1% annualized reduction. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 1 297 M $ US, with the largest fall taking place in 2018 at 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ginger from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 6.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of ginger from Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 9 146 t, surging by 177.3% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 14.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 189.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, ginger exports in kind from Sub-Saharan Africa were spread across a wide range of partner countries. India accounted for 12.9% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 7.0%, and Germany for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 23.9% 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values hit their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.6-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, the value of ginger leaving Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 17 720 K $ US, reflecting a steep 219.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was seen in 2019 at 25.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates were among the largest buyers of ginger from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, with shares of 12.3%, 11.5%, and 9.3% respectively. However, even combined, they represented only 33.1% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports ginger to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes varied 1.8 times, from a low in 2018 to a high in 2020. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported approximately 5 962 t of ginger, up by 2.7% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 371 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 23.4% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 72.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest suppliers of ginger to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, with shares of 20.2%, 3.4%, and 1.8% respectively. Their combined contribution was limited to 25.5% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Import values varied 2.1-fold, from a minimum in 2018 to a maximum in 2020. In 2020, the volume of ginger imports into Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 16 525 K $ US, increasing by 78.6% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 781 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 1.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, ginger imports into Sub-Saharan Africa came from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—China, India, and Thailand—together represented only 37.2% of total imports in value terms, underscoring the region's diversified sourcing.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020