Ginger market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the ginger market volume in the Philippines experienced significant fluctuations. It peaked at nearly 36 thousand t in 2019 before gradually declining to approximately 32 thousand t by 2022. Domestic production showed a steady, slow increase throughout this period.

In 2023, the market volume contracted further to about 29 thousand t as imports fell sharply. Domestic output, however, reached 29 thousand t, supported by the expansion of ginger cultivation areas. Strong demand from food and beverage manufacturers, particularly for products like salabat tea and powdered ginger, coincided with supply shortages. Adverse weather, including typhoons and the effects of El Niño, damaged key growing regions such as Nueva Vizcaya and Quezon, constraining supply and contributing to high retail prices. The Department of Agriculture permitted ginger imports to help stabilize the market.

Entering 2024, severe supply constraints persisted due to continued typhoon damage and El Niño impacts, which reportedly caused a significant drop in production. This sustained strong demand from processors, coupled with limited supply recovery, led to substantial retail price increases. Government efforts focused on expanding production areas, distributing disease-free seedlings, and increasing imports from countries like China and Vietnam to address the market imbalance.

Production ginger in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked 12th globally in ginger production.

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Philippines produced 27 126 tonnes of ginger, a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 26 929 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 with 27 926 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 3.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports ginger from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. Export levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 98-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, ginger exports from the Philippines fell sharply to 0.0 tonnes, representing a steep decline of 99.0% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1,327.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea was the dominant market for ginger exports in volume, accounting for 81.2% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 117-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the Philippines exported 0.1 thousand US dollars worth of ginger, down by 98.5% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 469.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea consistently represented 71.2% of total ginger exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, while other countries shared the remainder.

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

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

Imports ginger to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports varied significantly, with a 22-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, the Philippines imported 6 340 tonnes of ginger, marking a steep reduction of 29.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 419 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 9 029 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 85.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 2,055.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, China clearly dominated as the main supplier of ginger to the Philippines, accounting for 98.3% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 21-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ginger deliveries to the Philippines amounted to 14 743 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden increase of 95.5% over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 703 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 56.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 972.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the key and nearly sole market for ginger imports in value terms to the Philippines, accounting for 94.6% of total flows.

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

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