Ginger market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for ginger in Tanzania fluctuated between 3 148 t and 4 188 t from 2018 to 2023. A sharp price drop in 2019 made exports less attractive, boosting local availability to 4 188 t. However, from 2020 onward, the entry of export-oriented companies and new international partnerships increased overseas sales, which reduced the home market size to around 4 060 t by 2021. The rehabilitation of a processing factory in Same District in 2022 further supported export readiness, contributing to a market low of 3 148 t that year as shipments peaked above 1 000 t.

On the production side, the establishment of the Mamba ginger growers cooperative and a government-backed processing plant with a 10 t per day capacity provided a foundation for value addition. Farmers engaged in contract farming from 2021 to meet export demand, while calls for improved extension services and soft loans aimed at sustaining cultivation areas. These measures helped keep annual production stable at approximately 4 200 t throughout the period.

Market structure initiatives included recommendations to reduce middlemen markups and enhance direct farmer sales. In 2024, development of plant-based functional beverages from ginger pointed toward new domestic uses that could influence future consumption patterns.

Production ginger in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Tanzania was one of the world's leading ginger producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Tanzania's ginger production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 221 tonnes of ginger, marking a 0.7% year-over-year gain.

Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports ginger from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 3.9 tonnes, then climbed to their peak in 2018 at 893.2 tonnes, representing a 229-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's ginger exports reached 70.1 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 1 700.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 99.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya dominated the geographical structure of Tanzania's ginger exports in kind, accounting for 93.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values fell to their lowest in 2019 at 11 000 US dollars, then rose to their highest in 2018 at 1 407 000 US dollars, varying 124 times between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 28 000 US dollars worth of ginger, up by 142.3% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2 711.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Comoros (26.7% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (22.9%), and the United Kingdom (12.0%) made the biggest contributions to Tanzania's ginger exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 61.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports ginger to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2019 at 2.4 tonnes, then reached their maximum in 2018 at 27.5 tonnes, showing an 11.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 5.5 tonnes of ginger, representing a sudden increase of 130.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 91.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana (48.9% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (23.4%), and India (13.3%) led the ranking of ginger suppliers to Tanzania, with their combined share reaching 85.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import values fell to their lowest in 2019 at 1 000 US dollars, then peaked in 2018 at 10 000 US dollars, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.9 times. In 2020, Tanzania's ginger imports totalled 4 000 US dollars, up by 176.3% compared with 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 85.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana (37.9% of imports in value terms), South Africa (23.2%), and the United Arab Emirates (22.4%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of ginger imports in value terms to Tanzania, with a combined share of 83.5% of total flows.

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

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