Ginger Research and Production
From Aggie Land to Your Land
Project Overview
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is one of the most important spices and food additives in the world. Currently, domestic production in Hawaii satisfies only 20% of the United States demand, leaving the remaining 80% dependent on foreign imports. These massive market forces have created an excellent, high-value niche market opportunity for mainland states, particularly North Carolina.
Our extensive production research and collaborating field trials demonstrate that ginger can be produced successfully across a variety of climate conditions—from the western mountains to the eastern coastal plains of North Carolina. By utilizing settings such as greenhouses, high tunnels, open fields, and natural wooded areas combined with season extension techniques, growers can extend the growth window by 1 to 3 months, allowing for the successful harvest of premium mature ginger.
Ginger plants can be grown in a greenhouse, color shade hoop houses, natural wooded areas and high tunnels.
Approximate U.S. Ginger Market Value (2020)
%
U.S. Demand Met via Foreign Imports, Creating Niche Domestic Opportunities
Premium Selling Price for Fresh Baby Ginger at NC Farmers' Markets Since 2020
Our Research Team
Guochen Yang, Ph.D.
professor of horticulture and principal investigator for ginger project.
Hannah Talton, DPM
Research Investigator & Pest Management Specialist
William Lashley, Ph.D., leads a ginger-propagation training at the N.C. A&T University Farm. With him are (from left) Guochen Yang, Ph.D.; Trequan McGee, Ph.D.; and Julia Robinson, Ph.D.