GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

Peruvian growers face more moderate prices, Brazilian prices remain below growing costs, and dry conditions are creating uncertainty in India. Additional Peruvian supply is pressuring North American spot prices, while South African growers continue to face competition from imports.Italy: Ginger prices stable to slightly lowerIn recent weeks, ginger prices in Italy have remained stable or declined slightly. A wholesaler at a major northern Italian market reports that sales remained fairly steady throughout the summer, averaging stable to slightly higher levels. The wholesaler currently supplies high-quality ginger from Brazil. Wholesale prices are relatively low, at around €2 per kilogram. Almost all ginger is imported, with supplies coming from China, Peru, Brazil, and Thailand, depending on the season, as Italian crop supply remains small-scale and expensive. Although ginger consumption has increased in recent years, this has not necessarily resulted in more business for wholesalers, as many shopkeepers of foreign origin, including Pakistani, Chinese, and Bengali retailers, have organised direct imports, bypassing the wholesale market. According to the wholesaler, while ginger consumption has risen, the volumes passing through "official" channels do not always reflect actual consumption levels.A major importer reports that the current season has seen a substantial increase in supplies from China, the world's leading producer, as well as from South America. "During spring (March–May), shipments from China to Europe increased exceptionally, with volumes more than doubling compared to the same period last year. This strong supply pressure, combined with a slowdown in sales during the summer months, has pushed the market downwards, with import prices for Chinese ginger currently standing at almost half last year's figure." The outlook for late 2026 and early 2027 is very positive. "Surveys of the new harvest in Shandong indicate optimal underground development of the roots. Digging, or harvesting after excavating the soil, will begin in October, while shipments to European markets are scheduled to start in mid-December. A favourable season is expected, characterised by a high proportion of large roots of excellent quality and modest starting prices."The Netherlands: Supply-demand balance tightensAfter a relatively weak summer, the European ginger market is gradually starting to recover. Demand is picking up, while stocks of Chinese and Thai ginger are declining. "The balance between supply and demand is therefore becoming noticeably tighter," says a Dutch importer."The situation is quite different for Peruvian ginger and turmeric. The outbreak of Ralstonia has put significant pressure on exports from Peru. SENASA currently allows only a limited number of exporters to continue shipping. Supply is therefore restricted, while the risks associated with importing from Peru have increased considerably. The impact of this reduced availability may become increasingly visible in the market over the coming weeks.""Looking back at the first three quarters, it has certainly been a challenging period. Extreme and changing weather patterns have affected crops, logistics have brought continued challenges in terms of transit times and costs, and European regulations have added another layer of complexity. But perhaps that is also what makes our industry so interesting: ginger doesn't grow according to an Excel spreadsheet."Germany: Demand picks up towards autumnChina currently accounts for the bulk of ginger supplies. Following the seasonally quieter summer months, demand is gradually picking up again as autumn approaches. The quality of the available produce has also improved following a period of decline. In the wholesale market, current purchase prices stand at €28 per 12kg crate.India: Dry conditions raise concerns for ginger cropThe Indian ginger market remains relatively firm, with prices varying considerably between producing regions. In Maharashtra, reported APMC prices in early September ranged from around €0.45 to €1.44 per kg, depending on the market.At the same time, concerns are building around the new crop as India experiences an uneven monsoon. August rainfall was 16% below normal, and September is also expected to be drier than average, while parts of Karnataka are already experiencing prolonged dry conditions. The impact on ginger output remains difficult to quantify, but weather will be an important factor for the crop in the coming weeks.North America: Peruvian ginger enters peak quality windowPeru is the main source of ginger for the North American market, with China also supplying substantial volumes, particularly of conventional product. Peruvian ginger is entering one of its strongest quality periods of the year, with fully mature product now arriving in North America.Despite this favourable quality window, excess Peruvian supply in the U.S. is putting pressure on spot-market prices. Changes in European import protocols related to Ralstonia have affected Peruvian exports to Europe, contributing to additional availability in North America. While demand is currently steady, it is expected to strengthen from October as colder weather and the holiday season approach, with consumption typically remaining strong through February.Informality is identified as one of the industry's biggest structural challenges. Informal purchasing and packing can create an uneven competitive environment, making supply chain transparency increasingly important.Weather, however, remains the main uncertainty ahead. Peru's rainy season can disrupt both quality and transportation, particularly in remote growing areas. A potentially intense El Niño could further damage infrastructure and interrupt product flow, making the balance between supply, demand, logistics, and weather crucial in the months ahead.Peru: Lower prices lead to more cautious plantingThe Peruvian season is progressing with good harvest volumes, but prices are more moderate than last year, prompting growers to take a more cautious approach to planting for the 2027-2028 season. The United States accounts for most shipments, at the expense of Europe, where phytosanitary controls related to the bacterium Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum have become considerably stricter.U.S. demand is also weak during the summer, with moderate FOB prices. The sector, which is still relatively young, continues to professionalize amid growing competition from Brazil and China. The main uncertainty concerns 2027, when the El Niño phenomenon and lower planting intentions could reduce available volumes.Brazil: Prices remain below growing costsBrazil is experiencing one of its most challenging years, with selling prices below growing costs and pressure from lower-priced Chinese supply, supported by lower labour costs. This is compounded by new European phytosanitary regulations, in force since April, with an adaptation period this year, requiring certification of the absence of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum.The bacterium is present in Peru but not in Brazil. Compliance with these requirements is making the export process more expensive, particularly for family farming operations. Despite the difficulty of meeting the deadlines, the resulting reduction in supply, together with improving weather conditions in Europe, is expected to help rebalance the market and support a recovery in prices and margins.South Africa: Imports pressure domestic marketSouth African ginger growers remain highly exposed to fluctuations in import arrivals. One grower notes that imported volumes are not staggered by importers but are instead sent to the market at once, putting downward pressure on prices for all market participants.Domestic ginger supply has stabilised at predictable volumes in an effort to stabilise the market. However, given the volume of imports, these efforts by local growers are at times undermined by shipments from China and Vietnam.At the Johannesburg municipal market, ginger prices range between €1.8 and €2.4 per kilogram.Next Topic: OrangesPublication date: Fri 11 Sep 2026© FreshPlaza.com / Stefan Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen