Ginger in China continue their upward climb, local buyers are still willing to pay those prices. Foreign buyers, however, haven't supported the increased prices.Ginger prices have risen to 13 yuan per kilogram for raw material and 17 yuan per kilogram for packaged ginger, according to Mr. Jiang, quality control manager of Jining Sanlong Fruit and Vegetables. For exported ginger, prices have reached 15,000 yuan per ton.
“Volumes for the 2013 crop decreased when compared to the 2012 crop,” said Jiang. “That's part of the reason why the price is increasing.” While strong prices are encouraging more growers to grow ginger, with an expected uptick in production of about 20 percent in 2014, that won't affect current prices. While the local market has been able to support those high prices, the export market hasn't been as stable.
“Chinese consumers can accept the price. The wholesale price in local markets is even higher than exporting, and supermarkets are much higher than wholesale market,” said Jiang. “The export price is not stable, and, at the moment, only the American market is remotely positive.
