….As prices surged from N1000/kg of dry split ginger in 2022, to N13000/kg in 2026, a 1200 percent increase
Despite a sharp drop in other cash crop prices in 2026, ginger has remained at historic highs three years after a major blight outbreak, as a seedbank project tightened supplies amid strong export demand.
According to the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NGX), cocoa beans plunged 38 percent from N10,024/kg to N5,144/kg between February 9 and 13, 2026. Sesame also declined by 4.17 percent from N1,200/kg to N1,150/kg within the same period. However, ginger prices held steady at N13,000/kg within the same period.
The National Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN) attributed the sustained high prices and scarcity to the sector’s recovery from the 2023 blight, an ongoing three-year seedbank project, and rising global demand.
“We launched a three-year seedbank project to recover seedlings lost during the blight,” said Baba Meshach, NGAN’s national publicity secretary/PRO. “ With this project, farmers are required to sell 30 percent of their harvest and replant 70 percent to rebuild seed stock, which has limited market supply,” he noted.
Another reason for ginger price rally is that production remains low, with most farmers cultivating no more than four hectares, except for a Mastercard Foundation-backed farmer and large firms such as Illaj Farms.
Retail prices for fresh ginger range from N280,000 to N400,000 per 50kg bag. About three 50kg bags of fresh ginger produce one 40kg bag of export-grade dry split ginger.
Export-grade dry split ginger sells for between N13 million and N17 million per ton, according to John Anana, chief executive of Jeffy Farms.
The association also cited ginger’s long eight-month growing cycle as a constraint, noting that many farmers prefer crops with shorter maturity periods.
Read also: Top 5 ginger-producing countries in the world
High demand, good investment opportunity
The global market is projected to grow to $6.01 billion in 2026 from $5.7 billion in 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence. The rising demand presents a strong opportunity for investors looking to tap into the market.
“Ginger is an export commodity and has the capacity to generate returns of 20 to 30 percent on investment, making it a good investment opportunity,” Meshach said.
Paul Kato, a large-scale ginger farmer based in Taraba State, also highlighted ginger’s importance in attracting foreign exchange.
“Nigerian ginger is one of the best in the world due to its pungency and high oleoresin content, making it a highly sought-after commodity globally,” he noted.
Experts say a single plot of land can produce about 20 to 25 bags of 50kg fresh ginger, with each bag currently selling for N400,000.
“Last year, I harvested about 100 bags from five plots of land, and I am willing to expand my ginger farm this year because it is a real money-making venture,” said John Anana, Chief Executive Officer of Jeffy Farms.
Read also: 10 ways to venture into ginger business in 2025
Challenges and solutions
A long growth cycle (eight months), limited access to land, funding constraints, and poor access to quality seedlings are among the major challenges facing ginger farmers.
“Lack of support and the prolonged growth cycle are discouraging farmers, as most ginger production is funded from personal resources because there isn’t much institutional support,” Meshach noted.
Other exporters also highlighted high input costs, particularly the difficulty in accessing quality seedlings, as a major challenge.
“Securing land and quality seedlings is a major challenge. However, when farmers pool resources together, it becomes easier,” Anana stated.
Experts also note that cultivating ginger organically can improve yields and reduce the risk of a recurring blight outbreak.
