Supplies of fresh root ginger are running tight as the cooler temperatures set in in China, leaving those without indoor drying facilities unable to supply the export market.
David Thakar of importer Superfoods (UK) said: “We are feeling the shortage. We bring in from Thailand and Brazil too. Brazil has finished now and Thailand will not start to ship until the second week of December, to arrive in the UK in the second week of January.
He added: “Most suppliers in China are smallholders and don’t have the ability to dry their product indoors as large warehouses are required.”
Wholesale market prices have been creeping up, rising from 1040p for 13kg cartons last week to 1170p for 13kg this week.
“This situation will not be much changed until the Thai crop comes on stream,” said Thakar.
“In effect it is an artificial shortage. There is enough ginger grown in just one region in China to supply the whole world’s demand, but due to a shortage of drying capacity, the market is tightening up.”
Prices are also hit by speculation in the ginger market. “When the market price creeps up, everyone wants to import ginger,” said Thakar. “Then of course it goes down and suppliers lose money.”
No comments yet