Brazilian Ginger Guide

The Brazilian domestic market does not consume much ginger, and most ginger produced is exported. However, the demand for ginger is rising due to the increased global population. Brazilian ginger cannot compete with Chinese ginger in terms of price, but Brazilian ginger excels in quality. Therefore, the demand for Brazilian ginger has multiplied over the past few years. The export value of Brazil was USD 53.43M, and the export volume was 43.95M MT in 2021.

Value Chain: 

Growers – Exporters – Sourcing companies at destination countries - Distributors & Retailers in destination countries

The roots of ginger are harvested in the field and transported to the processing base, where ginger is classified, washed, disinfected, and dried.

• Most ginger is grown in small family owned-farms.
• Major exporting and trading companies buy ginger from small-sized farms and export ginger to other countries.

• Competition among different exporting and trading companies is rigid and hostile.

In 2021, the largest importers were (1) Netherlands (USD 20.97M), (2) United States (USD 14.51M), (3) Russia(USD 3.32M), and (4) Argentina (USD 2.67M).

Share of Export Destinations Brazilian Ginger

Source: Tridge

Notable importing countries are:

•  Netherlands +27.28% YoY (2021): 
  

• The Netherlands is a lead importer of Brazilian ginger and the largest importer and trader of ginger in Europe. Its imports increased in volume by 10.3% annually between 2016 and 2020.
  

• Russia +91.17% YoY (2021): 
• Brazilian ginger in the Russian market is second to China, albeit the import of whole ginger from Brazil is rising. From 2016-2021, it marked a significant growth of 504.12% and achieved 20.49% of the import share.

Brazilian Ginger is grown in two central regions of the country, with 60% of the production located in Espírito Santo and 40% in São Paulo and Santa Catarina.

Brazilian Giant Ginger Root

Source: Tridge EM

Ginger grown in Brazil is the Zingiber Officinale variety, the primary type of Ginger found in most stores. With outstanding quality, Brazilian Ginger stands out globally, becoming increasingly sought after for import. Of having favorable soil, altitude, and climate for the planting of Ginger, Espírito Santo has become the largest producer in Brazil.

Documents required for the export of Brazilian ginger vary depending on the target market. Before proceeding with the export of ginger from Brazil, registration with Decex (Department of Foreign Trade, MIDC) is obligatory. Also, export registration through SISCOMEX is necessary.

General requirements for most countries are:

• Phytosanitary certificate
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of landing
• Certificate of Origin

• Brazilian ginger exports are strong in the first half of June before Peruvian ginger is exported.
• Brazil loses a lot of the market share to Peru from mid-June to July. Still, once Peruvian ginger volume decreases, Brazilian ginger gains more market share in August and peaks around September.
• Exports stay strong until the end of the season.

• Exports from mid-November to December are residual exports.

Growing Import markets (at least +50% YoY in 2020, consistent growth in 2017-2020, and imported value above USD 10 million in 2020):

• Vietnam: USD 22.7 million (+13.9%, +28.32%, +377.87%)
  
• Switzerland: USD 10 million (+15.93%, +8.58%, +91.33%)
  
• Philippines: USD 13.3 million (-66.06%, +1570.95%, +86.06%) – an outlier, but growth in 2019 was significant
• Malaysia: USD 57.9 million (+9.62%, +40.23%, +68.88%)
• Sweden: USD 9.8 million (+1.8%, +5.12%, +61.22%)
  

• Ginger in Peru is cheaper and has good quality, making it difficult for Brazil to compete with Peru.

• China produces more significant quantities of ginger and is cheaper, but the quality is poor. 

• Fresh and dried ginger from China will only be suitable in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other countries closer to China when the export season begins in December.
  
• Thailand is the second-largest ginger supplier, but most ginger is exported to Southeast Asian countries.