Market Survey
By: Dr A.T.N. ABuBAcker
export export potential of ginger Why ds id ccu y 6 c d, huh cbus 36 c c h wd duc?
g
inger is a tropical species native to South East Asia. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. The English term ‘ginger’ originated from Sanskrit word ‘Sringavera.’ Botanically known as ‘Zingiber Officinale,’ it is the most popular hot spice in the world. The useful part of this plant is the underground rhizome. Ginger has a long and well-documented history of both culinary and
medicinal use throughout the world, especially in Chinese, Indian and Japanese medicinal care. In Indian ayurvedic medicine, ginger is used as an anti-inflammatory herb. It was introduced to Africa and Caribbean countries in the 16th century. century. Ginger has a long history of use in South Asia both in dried and fresh form. The Hindu epic ‘Mahabharta’ describes a meal where meat was stewed with ginger and other spices. In the ‘Manassllasa’ literature writ-
Table I
Ging root, raw Ntitional Val p 100g Nutritional value
Quantity
Carbohydrates
17.77g
Sugars
1.7g
Dietary fiber
2g
Fat
0.75g
Protein
1.82g
Thiamin (Vit. B1) 0.025 mg
2%
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.034 mg
2%
Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.75 mg
5%
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.203 mg
4%
Vitamin B6 0.16 mg
12%
Folate (Vit. B9) 11µg
3%
Vitamin C 5 mg
8%
Calcium 16 mg
2%
Iron 0.6 mg
5%
Magnesium 43 mg
12%
Phosphorus 34 mg
5%
Potassium 415 mg
9%
Zinc 0.34 mg
3%
Percentages Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults; Source: USDA Nutrient database
India’s share in ginger export is estimated at 13,000 tonnes per year, which is only two per cent of its production
ten in the 11th century AD, ginger is mentioned as a flavouring agent for buttermilk drink. Its use as a food became much more widespread by the 13th century AD with advent of the Muslim rule in India. Ginger was exported from India to the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. Arab merchants controlled the ginger trade. Ginger became one of
Market Survey
is the largest ginger producing state, accounting Aa, Podtion and yild of Ging for about 33 per cent of in India the total production in Year Area Production Yield India. (’000 hect) (’000 tonnes) (kg/ha) Cochin Ginger (NUGC) and Calicut 1997-98 75.6 252.1 3,335 Ginger (NUBK) are the 1998-99 77.6 263.2 3,392 two popular varieties 1999-2000 80.8 282.6 3,498 of Indian ginger in the 2000-01 86.2 288.0 3,341 world market. Ginger is 2001-02 90.8 318.0 3,502 available in the forms of oil, oleoresins, ground 2002-03 90.8 317.0 3,500 ginger and fresh ginger. 2003-04 85.1 301.9 3,548 Light-coloured ginger 2004-05 95.3 359.0 3,767 has traditionally been 2005-06 110.6 391.2 3,537 more priced for its sut2006-07 105.9 370.3 3,497 ble lemony aroma. Dark ginger has more heat Source: Spices Board, Cochin and is favoured for extraction purposes. Fresh Table III ginger is used as a vegetable. Out of the total production, about Aa and Podtion of 30 per cent is converted into dry ginGing in th Wold ger, while 50 per cent is consumed Year Area Production as green ginger and the rest as seed (hect) (mt) materials. Dry ginger is produced 1998 312,108 864,760 mainly in Kerala, a major share of which is exported. 1999 308,631 952,222
Table IV
Table II
2000
305,696
953,152
2001
310,923
988,951
are nd production
2002
317,099
1,007,503
2003
341,360
1,109,833
2004
341,829
1,141,319
2005
372,271
1,264,891
2006
414,183
1,337,188
2007
429,481
1,387,445
Area, production and yield of ginger in India are shown in Table II. The table shows that area and production of ginger in India have continuously increased over the years. Area and production of ginger in the world are shown in Table III. Area under ginger cultivation in the world was 429,481 hectares in 2007. The largest area under ginger cultivation is in Nigeria, which is about 55 per cent of the total area under ginger cultivation in the world. World production of ginger was 1,387,445 mt in 2007. India has a predominant position in ginger production contributing 36 per cent of the total world production, but productivity is very poor compared to USA.
Source: FAO estimate
the most commonly traded spices during the 13th and 14th centuries.
Cultivtion nd consumption Ginger is cultivated in India, China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Nigeria and West Indies islands. India is the largest producer and consumer of ginger in the world. In India ginger is produced in the states of Orissa, Kerala, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Madhya Pradesh. Kerala
World trde World trade in ginger is estimated at $190 million per year. In-
expot of Ging fom India Ding 1997-98 to 2008-09 Year
Quantity (tonnes)
Value (lakhs)
1997-98
28,268
7,262.73
1998-99
8,683
4,058.32
1999-2000
8,923
3,253.55
2000-01
6,288
2,682.05
2001-02
6,464
2,311.47
2002-03
8,461
2,396.59
2003-04
5,000
2,340.50
2004-05
14,908.13
5,929.40
2005-06
10,890.43
4,580.59
2006-07
9,661.34
4,777.77
2007-08
8,332.91
3,296.08
2008-09
3,229.70
1,581.75
Source: Spices Board, Cochin
Table V
expot of Ging in th Wold Year
Quantity (tonnes)
Value (’000$)
1997-98
174,185
142,315
1998-99
155,985
107,789
1999-2000
204,055
122,084
2000-01
243,173
131,632
2001-02
249,933
124,576
2002-03
290,992
125,922
2003-04
311,405
135,603
2004-05
291,484
277,619
2005-06
379,630
319,487
2006-07
385,406
253,091
Source: FAO Estimates
dia’s share in ginger trade is only 6 per cent, while China’s share is 57 per cent. In ginger oil and oleoresin trade India dominates with 50 per cent share. Garbled/ungarbled and bleached/unbleached variants occupy predominant position in ginger export. Cochin ginger is popular and it fetches a premium price because of its superior quality. The estimated world import of ginger is 300,000 tonnes per year. India’s share in
Market Survey Table VI
Top 15 Impots of Indian Ging Country
Value (Rs lakh)
Quantity (’000)
2007-08
2008-09 (Apr-Jun)
2007-08
2008-09 (Apr-Jun)
USA
419.02
63.61
588.76
101.75
Bangladesh
408.93
137.24
4,254.07
1,346.62
UK
354.76
122.87
459.60
136.06
Spain
210.20
115.43
305.23
106.10
Morocco
194.82
66.53
269.79
69.00
Saudi Arab
184.79
60.39
234.65
95.86
Germany
178.69
66.45
282.57
198.51
Australia
155.17
18.62
196.28
20.77
Netherlands
139.17
45.96
205.54
60.64
Yemen Republic
123.37
36.19
180.46
38.00
Japan
121.24
116.32
117.69
90.08
Malaysia
81.78
24.77
144.94
47.40
Canada
79.58
16.43
118.91
25.59
Belgium
71.87
2.69
71.62
2.38
Israel
70.06
6.61
92.11
7.00
Source: Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi
ginger export is estimated at 13,000 tonnes per year, which is only two
per cent of its production. Table IV shows the export of
ginger from India during 1997-98 to 2008-09. Global ginger export is shown in Table V. The main competitors in ginger export are China, Nigeria and Thailand. Country-wise export of Indian ginger is shown in Table VI.
Suggestions Ginger cultivation can be improved provided the following measures are taken: 1. Introduce the HYV in ginger 2. Supply planting materials in time 3. Reduce the yield gap 4. Introduce short-duration variety 5. Popularise fresh ginger processing 6. Encourage organic ginger cultivation 7. Strengthen agricultural re search The author is head of Department of Economics at Dr Zakir Husain College, Ileyangudi, Tamil Nadu
