In North America, ginger prices from Costa Rica and Peru are slightly higher than last year due to steady demand and limited supply, while Chinese ginger faces potential tariff concerns. Brazilian ginger is expected to return in May, adding to regional availability.
In Germany, demand is expected to decline amid shipping delays and quality issues, while Peruvian supply is fading and has lost 80% of its market share. In Italy, Chinese ginger leads the market following the end of the Brazilian season, with high prices and new shipments expected from Brazil and Thailand.
In the Netherlands, prices remain relatively high despite early quality issues with Chinese ginger. In France, ginger from Brazil and China continues to dominate, with improved quality and stable pricing maintaining a well-balanced market.
In China, exports to Europe are facing price pressure due to competition from Brazil and Peru, while shipping volumes are down due to seasonal demand. In South Africa, ginger prices spiked during supply shortages but are now easing with the arrival of local harvests, although supermarket prices remain high.
In Brazil, production has increased and strengthened its position in the U.S. market, with early baby ginger harvests expected to help ease global prices. In Peru, production is set to rise by up to 70% in 2025, though quality risks and increasing competition from Brazil and China may affect pricing.
In Costa Rica, ginger prices have risen due to global supply shortages, though concerns remain over production volatility and weather impacts on long-term supply stability.
North America: Stronger pricing on Costa Rican and Peruvian ginger
With the conventional ginger supply from Brazil concluding in mid-January, current availability is coming from Costa Rica, which ships nearly year-round. Supply levels from Costa Rica are normal; however, quality has declined slightly compared to four to six weeks ago due to weather conditions.
Organic ginger is also being supplied by Peru. Additionally, China is exporting ginger with a strong crop this year, which began harvesting in December. However, most of the Chinese supply is destined for markets such as California, New York, and Canada. Concerns remain over the potential impact of tariffs on Chinese ginger entering the U.S. market.
Ginger demand remains steady, although movement tends to slow when multiple regions are supplying simultaneously. This situation is contributing to slightly higher pricing on both Costa Rican and Peruvian ginger compared to last year.
Looking ahead, Costa Rica and Peru will continue their shipments, along with other South American countries. Brazilian ginger is expected to resume in May, with early, younger ginger initially shipped by air until the crop reaches full maturity.
Germany: Ginger market sees declining demand and supply challenges
A decline in demand is expected in the ginger market over the coming weeks. "Sales remain relatively stable for now, as ginger typically sees strong demand shortly after Carnival. However, if the warm and sunny weather continues, experience shows that demand for ginger will noticeably decrease," an importer notes.
There have also been challenges in procurement. "Several quality issues arose in the first quarter of this year, primarily due to the premature shipment of the new Chinese harvest. Additionally, delays at seaports have resulted in a total transit time of approximately 60 days. As a result, current conditions are proving difficult for all market participants."
Meanwhile, supply from Peru is gradually coming to an end. "Product quality has consistently been weaker, and demand has also declined significantly. Overall, Peru has lost around 80 percent of its market share in Europe this year, largely due to smaller calibers."
Italy: Chinese ginger leads European supply as Brazilian season wraps up
"The market is relatively good as the Brazilian season finished last month," says a wholesaler from northern Italy. "China is currently the only active supplier, and we have also begun importing. Purchase prices range between $1,800 and $2,000 per ton, depending on the supplier and required analysis. The goods arrive in Europe through ports such as Rotterdam, Genoa, or Barcelona. Purchase prices range from $2.40 to $2.80 per kilogram."
Regarding other origins, the wholesaler explains, "Brazil is about to begin shipping young ginger by air, known for its freshness but also its short shelf life, which makes it prone to rapid spoilage. This visually appealing product carries a high cost at origin—approximately $18 to $20 FOB for a 13.5 kg crate. The produce is expected to arrive by the end of this week (the 11th of 2025, ed.). Thailand is also set to begin shipments by the end of the month, with initial arrivals expected soon. Again, costs remain high, ranging between $30 and $35, depending on the supplier."
Another wholesaler in northern Italy notes that, at present, ginger is priced at approximately €3.00 per kilogram at the wholesale level. "The price can increase if special processing is required or for smaller quantity purchases. The main origin during this period is China, although some Brazilian ginger harvested a few months ago is also still available."
Netherlands: Relatively high ginger prices
The ginger season started poorly due to quality issues in the early new crop of Chinese ginger. Fortunately, the latest arrivals are of acceptable quality. Demand is okay, but prices remain relatively high", says a Dutch importer.
France: Stable ginger market with improved quality
Ginger from Brazil and China continues to dominate the French market, with available volumes sufficient to meet steady year-round demand. In recent weeks, product quality has seen significant improvement. Sales are progressing at a consistent pace, and prices remain stable. Compared to the same period last year, pricing for both origins is nearly identical, differing only by a few centimes. Overall, the market remains relatively well-balanced.
China: Ginger exports to Europe face competition from Brazil and Peru
Currently, most Chinese ginger exports are destined for the European market. The current export price to Europe is approximately $1,800 per metric ton, which is largely in line with the price during the same period last year.
From December last year through March this year, the market experienced a notable price decline. In December, the Brazilian and Peruvian ginger seasons came to an end, resulting in a supply shortage in the market. Subsequently, as increasing volumes of Chinese ginger entered the market, prices began to decline.
Shipping costs have also decreased, dropping from approximately $5,600 per 40-foot container at the end of December to around $3,000. However, due to the low season in the European market, the shipment volume of Chinese ginger in March declined significantly.
In international markets, Brazilian and Peruvian gingers continue to be the main competitors of Chinese ginger. Their shorter shipping times to Europe result in less impact on product quality upon arrival, giving them a competitive advantage.
South Africa: Ginger prices soar amid supply shortages
In February, during a period of severe ginger undersupply, a few containers of imported ginger—reportedly from China and Thailand—arrived and fetched exceptionally high prices on the national fresh produce markets, despite their "inferior" quality, according to a trader on the floor. In Cape Town, ginger from this consignment was sold for as much as R200 (approximately $10.60) per kilogram, while in Pretoria prices ranged from R160 ($8.50) to R180 ($9.60) per kilogram, and in Durban between R120 ($6.40) and R150 ($8.00) per kilogram. The trader added that these consignments commanded extremely high prices.
In the meantime, additional imported ginger has arrived, along with the first locally grown ginger from the KwaZulu-Natal coast and the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Prices at wholesale markets have roughly halved—though this decrease is not yet reflected in supermarket pricing. During the scarcity period, South African retailers quickly passed the price increases on to consumers and are still charging between R200 and R300 (approximately $10.60 to $16.00) per kilogram. It is assumed this pricing is based on stock acquired during the supply gap.
From this point forward, ginger prices are expected to decline as domestic supply increases. However, rising production costs in recent years have forced several smaller ginger growers to cease operations.
Brazil: Stronger position in U.S. ginger market amid rising production
Brazil has consolidated its position in the U.S. ginger market, supported by efficient logistics and mechanized cultivation, enabling it to compete effectively with Peru. Despite challenges such as port delays and extreme weather events, Brazil's production has continued to grow, and it aims to maintain a strong market share in 2025.
Currently, Brazil has advanced its Baby Ginger harvest, and overall production has increased, which may place downward pressure on global ginger prices. The country's FOB price ranges between $22 and $25 per box, aligning with projected pricing from Peru. Brazil's key advantage lies in its shorter transit time to the U.S., allowing for fresher product delivery and lower storage and repackaging costs.
Peru: Ginger faces quality risks amid expected production surge in 2025
The 2024 season was marked by raw material shortages and elevated prices due to reduced plantings and disease outbreaks, including Rastonia. These factors led to a decline in weekly shipments to Europe, where repackaging and certification costs have risen significantly.
Production in 2025 is expected to increase by 40% to 70%, though this growth comes with considerable quality risks due to the presence of Erwinia and other pathogens.
The European market share has declined, with weekly exports limited to 10 containers or fewer, while the United States currently receives over 30 containers per week. The current FOB price of Peruvian ginger is $40 per 30-pound box but is expected to decrease to $22–$25 as supply volumes increase. Growing competition from Brazil and China is also anticipated to exert further pressure on prices.
Costa Rica: Higher ginger prices amid limited supply and volatility
Costa Rican ginger prices have increased due to a shortage of products on the international market. Costa Rica positions itself as a niche supplier focused on quality, although its export volume remains lower compared to Peru and Brazil. Currently, limited supply has driven prices upward. However, production volatility and weather conditions continue to create uncertainty regarding its long-term stability as a supplier.
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