Hydroponic greenhouse for organic ginger production

"The export price of fresh ginger in March of this year has increased around 30%-40% in comparison with the same period last year. This development is mainly because of fluctuations in the exchange rate, as well as speculative behaviour of buyers in the market. New ginger is still in the stage of sowing seeds. People have to wait until November before the ginger can be harvested." This is according to the manager of Zhenzhou Youan Food Co., Ltd.

"The export volume of fresh ginger reached 440.9 thousand tons. This is a 15.42% decrease in comparison with the ginger export volume of 521.3 thousand tons in 2016. Every production area of fresh ginger is in anticipation of expanding fresh ginger plantation in 2018. It is estimated that the overall expansion will be around 10%. It is estimated that fresh ginger farmers will use a total of 1,685,200 tons of ginger seeds. This is an increase of 153.2 thousand tons in comparison with the same period in the previous year."

"Sugared ginger is a taste variety of fresh ginger that has made it into the category of snacks in China. Sugared ginger has been a national, traditional, between-meal nibble for many years. Sugared ginger originated in the automated hydroponic greenhouse of Shenzhou Ginger Cellar Agricultural Group and Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Three national patents guarantee that the sugared ginger is produced without chemical pesticide. "Lu Pai" has become a well-known national brand that represents the unique flavor of fresh ginger and the management of safe and healthy fresh ginger manufactured products."

"This company owns 33 hectares of hydroponic greenhouses for organic ginger cultivation and plantation in Xiashan District, Weifang City. This area is the only 'certified national organic product demonstration area' in Shandong, China. The reason we decided to develop greenhouse plantations is that fresh ginger production in the open air easily suffers from extreme plant diseases and insect pests. Ginger farmers often resort to large volumes of chemical fertilizer because they lack the guidance of technology in prevention and cure of plant diseases and insect pests. The use of chemical fertilizer brings severe risks to food safety. Greenhouse plantation can effectively adjust the temperature and extend the growing period of fresh ginger. This allows us to increase the production volume and product quality."

"Trace elements in organic ginger are 4-22 times higher than regular ginger. Furthermore, the taste and fragrance are stronger. The price of organic ginger is 5-6 times higher than the price of regular ginger. Organic ginger receives a warm welcome on the market. Although the surface area devoted to fresh ginger production in China is large, the surface area devoted to greenhouse production of organic ginger is extremely limited. This is mainly because the production cost of fresh ginger plantation is relatively high."

"Apart from traditional fresh ginger products, we also have another hit product, which is sugared ginger. The value of sugared ginger as snack and medicine means that sugared ginger also receives much praise in overseas markets. Consumer demographics gradually shift from middle-aged and old people to younger people."

"In this current stage, 70% of our products are sold in wholesale markets and supermarkets in first and second tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. 30% of our products are shipped through Qingdao harbor and exported to the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, England, and other European countries, as well as countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. At present the export volume is stable, and the export price steadily increased in comparison with last year."

Company website: www.shenzhouyouanfood.com