Peru's ginger harvest season has begun with some market issues due to difficulties with the supply of raw materials. Federico Montoro López, a specialist in B2B customer development and loyalty, stated that the price of ginger had experienced a continuous increase recently and that exports of fresh and dehydrated ginger had decreased in the first months of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year.
During a visit to Pichanaki, Junin, a key ginger production area in Peru, Montoro identified several factors behind these issues. They include a significant reduction in cultivated and harvested areas, attributed to the fall in prices in previous years and an oversupply after the increase in hectares cultivated in 2020. In addition, the crops are affected by diseases such as Ralstonia and Erwinia, which have been aggravated by adverse weather conditions related to the El Niño phenomenon.
These problems have been compounded by fluctuations in weekly ginger prices and difficulties meeting demand on time. In this scenario, Montoro highlighted several challenges for the Peruvian ginger market, including a sustained price increase, and a shorter harvest period for the 2024 campaign that is expected to end between November and December, instead of in mid-February as usual.
Despite the challenges, there is encouraging news, as the harvest volume is expected to increase in August, which could help meet the high demand, especially for Peruvian organic ginger. In addition, the prevention strategies, monitoring, and good agricultural management practices that have been implemented could mitigate the effects of emerging diseases and other issues in the coming months.
Source: agraria.pe