After a delay, the ginger season in India is about to get started. Kaushal Khakhar, CEO of Indian fresh produce exporter Kay Bee Exports, states that the ginger prices in India are mostly tied to the domestic consumption: “While India is the world’s largest producer, but also consumer of ginger, we focus on the winter months for export. As such, the season is currently ongoing. We’re facing a delayed start, because of sub-optimal weather. Consequently, the price of ginger available in the market now is still higher than season’s standards. Due to the large consumption, ginger prices are aligned on the domestic consumption, rather than on the export market. The lesser volumes available in the initial part of the season has translated into prices 20 to 40 per cent higher than average.”
Although ginger is not an export powerhouse for India just yet, Khakhar sees there is clear potential, as importers are warming up to the Indian origin. “Ginger of Indian origin is a rather new origin in the export market, in comparison with the most common ones such as China, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Although we have only been shipping ginger for a few years, we are steadily working to increase our volumes, with very good quality on arrival. We’re trying to confidently to engage in larger programs with our customers and put efforts for the Indian-origin ginger to be more easily accepted by other importers.”
Khakhar is certain that European clients will see value in importing ginger from India. “We faced some unseasonal rains in our growing regions which has led to the delayed start of the 2023-24 season. While the effects of climate change are being felt more strongly throughout the globe, European customers’ efforts are focused on ensuring supply resilience. Exploring new and multiple product origins has been identified as a good way to ensure this and has helped Indian ginger to gain interest and be easily accepted. Although it remains a small contributor volume wise, it is steadily gaining more and more market presence.”
Another advantage Kay Bee has is the ease of meeting the MRL requirements from European clients: “The same consistency is expected from a quality point of view, with certified products complying with the strict European MRLs; which for Kay Bee Exports doesn’t represent a challenge. Indeed, with most of our customers being in Europe, we’re already meeting these requirements. Where ginger is concerned, our integrated farmers’ network has allowed us to guide them implement the right crop protection program. The use of our self-manufactured biopesticides is the primary reason why we can provide MRLs compliant ginger to Europe,” Khakhar concludes.
For more information:
Kay Bee Exports
Tel: +91 88 79 000 973
Email: [email protected]
www.kaybeeexports.com