Ginger continues to be one of the highest earning agricultural exports for Fiji, having brought in $6.9 million in export value for 2022 alone.
Agriculture Minister Vatimi Rayalu, while officiating at the National Ginger Workshop early last month said the total national domestic export earning in 2022 was $1.3 billion and the agricultural sector contributed $927.5m, accounting for 68 per cent.
Of this $927.5m, ginger contributed 1,219.3 tonnes in export volume, valued at $6.9m.
“There are 750 registered ginger growers in Fiji, producing for the domestic and international markets. The growers are only planting two varieties of ginger — white ginger and pink and the majority of the production is in the Central Division,” Mr Rayalu said.
He said Australia was Fiji’s largest ginger market while other countries such as the United States, Europe, New Zealand and Asia also provided ginger export markets for Fiji.
“For instance, Australia imported 980 tonnes of ginger (fresh/chilled and value added) from Fiji in 2021 and this was the largest market for ginger, followed by Netherlands and New Zealand.
“Exports of value-added ginger (e.g. processed brine, ground or crystallised) have also increased from 574 tonnes in 2013 to 1,301 tonnes in 2021, representing increased opportunities for Fiji’s ginger industry.
“The US, Australia and NZ remains the main destinations for both fresh and value-added ginger.”
Mr Rayalu said to ensure that Fiji’s ginger sector continues to flourish, Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, continues to provide support for farmers and processors.
“In the 2023-2024 Financial Year budget, $600,000.00 was allocated for the Ginger Farming Programme.
In this programme, farmers are supported with land preparations, farming materials, and agro inputs.
“In addition, the ministry also initiated a food processor and an exporter support programme specifically for our exporters. This initiative provides a 2/3 assistance up to $100,000 per recipient and assistance includes the provision of ginger sterilization juice machines or value-adding machines.”
He urged all stakeholders to foster collaboration, adopt sustainable and innovative ideas, and work together as valuable players along the ginger value chain to achieve the best approach for the ginger sector.
