The New Year has started, which means high demand for ginger in the northern hemisphere. “Peak demand started during the holiday season and continues through winter,” says Chris Ford with Viva Tierra Organic. “We see a spike in January as people focus on health and wellness for the New Year,” he added. While ginger is most popular in winter, it’s a versatile root vegetable year-round that can not only be used in cooking and baking, but also as an ingredient in juices, teas, smoothies, cocktails, and more. “Through consumer education about the versatility of this superfood, we want to drive consumption,” said Ford.
For Viva Tierra, it is the 4th year bringing in certified organic ginger from Peru that is also Fair Trade USA™ certified. “It’s an additional social certification that makes a positive impact in communities.” The country’s new crops start in June and can potentially stretch year-round. However, the crop is very short this year and will end in February. “For that reason, we added a northern hemisphere supplier from Mexico to complement our Peruvian program,” Ford said. “We are the first company to offer organic Fair Trade ginger from Mexico in the US, an exciting pioneering move.” The ginger season in Mexico runs from January through May, allowing for year-round supply of top-quality organic ginger into the US.
Chris Ford of Viva Tierra Organic flanked by Ariana Echevarria Fiol and Paola Francia Montoya with la grama, offering organic ginger from Peru.
Shortage Peru
The shortage in Peru is caused by low price levels that have impacted growers for the past few years. Peru sows new crop ginger in August, September, and October for harvest beginning the following June. “However, with Peruvian prices being depressed for several years, growers did not plant as much, resulting in a shortage this season. Outside Peru, plantings were down globally and it’s generally a two-year cycle for production to correct itself,” shared Ford. China, which has a major influence in global ginger supply, is starting new crops now and expects more of a ‘normal’ crop year.
Recyclable packaging
Organic ginger from Viva Tierra is available in ReadyCycle® packaging that is plastic free and 100 percent recyclable, made without wax or PFAS. In addition, the master carton is SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) certified. The larger size packaging with UPC code helps drive volume.
Ginger in ReadyCycle packaging.
For more information:
Chris Ford
Viva Tierra Organic
Tel: 831-917-7321
chris@vivatierra.com
www.vivatierra.com