A decade ago, this Dutch company predicted ginger would become an important item on the European market. B&C Lifestyle received its first container of ginger at the port of Rotterdam in 2018. "Of our sales, 80% is ginger from China, supplemented at the end of that season by some batches from Brazil and Peru," says Lucas Liu. The company also markets garlic, sweet potato, pomelos, dragon fruit, Nashi pears, and a few other fruits. It has its own modern refrigeration, drying, and packing facilities.
No more seasonal issues
Chinese ginger is available year-round. "The new harvest is available in January, but quality starts becoming an issue around September. Then, we sometimes switch to Brazilian or Peruvian ginger. We don't prefer those; the Brazilian product is more fibrous and can turn blue, and Peruvian ginger is sharper. Peru is also strong in organic, which is its selling point. Chinese ginger's milder flavor and lower fiber is distinctive."
China has one crop per year. They immediately store that ginger in warehouses, underground, or in caves. Ginger stored underground loses only 10%of its weight in 10 months. "When we store washed, dried ginger, there's a loss rate of 5% per week, despite our warehouses' entire focus on ginger storage. We package the ginger in the Netherlands and distribute it to supermarket chains in the desired packaging. The product usually arrives in plastic boxes and can also be delivered directly to wholesalers in that form. Or it can be repacked into many types of cardboard boxes and plastic crates for supermarkets. We have customers all over Europe," Lucas explains.
"Quality has gained undeniable importance recently as European importers increasingly source directly from growers. Brokers aren't as concerned with quality; they mainly want to move volumes and often engage in speculation. But if, like us, you have a firm connection with a group of growers, you can exercise more control over the entire supply chain."
Prices are favorable, after high levels in 2023. They should fall this year following acreage expansion and improved average yields due to favorable weather conditions. "The Red Sea situation seems to be complicating things, though, with container rates from China tripling at one point. But that and the delays in arrivals - up to three weeks before the new harvest - are probably only temporary problems," Lucas concludes optimistically.
Lucas Liu 
B&C Lifestyle
Aluminiumstraat 50
2718 RA Zoetermeer
+31 (0) 640 730 628 / +31 (0)655857150
lucas.liu@bclifestyle.nl
www.bclifestyle.nl