USA – The first air shipment of organic Peruvian ginger has landed in the U.S., marking a significant event for retailers eagerly awaiting the new season.
The supply chain for organic ginger in the U.S. has been nearly empty, creating anticipation among retailers for Peru’s ginger season to begin.
Chris Ford from Viva Tierra Organic highlighted the unique qualities of Peruvian ginger, stating, “Ginger from Peru is highly desirable due to its yellow variety, which contains a high level of gingerol that most other countries don’t grow.”
Due to the empty supply pipeline, the season kicks off with significantly higher prices than last year. The planted hectares are comparable to last year’s low-volume output, leading to speculation about the upcoming season’s volume.
Ford noted, “Movement at the beginning of this season is already much greater than last year, so we expect the supply situation to be challenging again by January 2025.”
He predicts that while the Peruvian ginger season runs from May to April, supplies might become limited by February.
Retailers are excited to put the new crop of organic ginger on their shelves. Ford shared that the ginger roots are currently about 85 percent mature, which is insufficient for a two-week sea journey.
Therefore, the product is flown directly from Lima to New York. “Air shipments are very costly, but the demand is there for a superior quality product,” Ford explained. By late May to early June, the ginger will be mature enough to be shipped by sea.
To ensure a year-round supply, Viva Tierra Organic is actively working with supply partners in the northern hemisphere, such as Nicaragua, to complement the Peruvian supply when it runs out.
Viva Tierra Organic’s commitment to ethical sourcing is evident in its Organic to the Core® ginger, which is Fair Trade certified.s This certification promotes sustainable livelihoods, safe working conditions, transparent supply chains, and environmental protection.
However, Ford pointed out that a significant portion of Peruvian ginger comes from less scrupulous operations.
“While ginger from these operations is cheaper, there is no regard for product or workers’ safety,” Ford said. “We have an opportunity and responsibility to uplift the communities together and need to continue fighting for fair trade.”
In line with its commitment to responsible trading, Viva Tierra Organic has developed non-plastic packaging for its organic ginger. “A good part of our program is retail-based, and our retail partners see the value of responsible packaging,” Ford noted.
Viva Tierra Organic is also expanding its offerings from Peru, trialing an organic lime program this year.
The global ginger market reached a value of USD 6.04 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024 to 2032, reaching USD 8.98 billion.
In the United States, the ginger market was approximately USD 3.10 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5%, reaching USD 5.49 billion by 2032.
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