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The primary objective of the Identifying revenue opportunities for AgriFutures Australia’s rural industries project was to identify potential new and alternate revenue sources within 28 of AgriFutures Australia’s levied and emerging industries, and for Australian agriculture generally. Through a combination of stakeholder consultations and literature reviews, additional, new and alternate revenue sources were identified. These revenue sources range from completely new and novel opportunities to those previously explored but that could benefit from further investment. Similarly, what may be ‘old’ in one industry may well be new and untried in others.

New revenue opportunities may contribute to industry profitability and sustainability in four ways. Firstly, they provide diversification, reducing reliance on existing sources of income and thereby enhancing resilience against economic fluctuations and environmental uncertainties, such as drought or market downturn. Secondly, they can promote sustainable practices and innovation, encouraging industries to adopt environmentally friendly and technologically advanced approaches, which in turn supports long-term viability. Thirdly, they can foster economic growth and job creation in rural areas, helping to counter urbanisation trends and maintain vibrant rural communities. Finally, they can strengthen Australia’s position in the global market by tapping into emerging trends and consumer demands, ensuring the continued competitiveness of its rural industries on a global scale.

Industry-specific challenges

Specific challenges relating to the Australian ginger industry include:

1. An ageing grower population and few new industry entrants.

2. Other countries with lower input costs, such as Fiji, gaining access to the Australian ginger market.

3. Limited agronomic development, which is impacting the ability of growers to maintain consistent production and quality to meet consumer demand.

4. Consumer sensitivity to high market prices, labour shortages and limited land availability, which are impacting the industry’s expansion potential.

Industry-specific opportunities

Specific opportunities relating to the Australian ginger industry include:

1. Developing novel ginger varieties with disease resistance and higher gingerols and shogaols to capitalise on market demand for enhanced flavour profiles and maintain product quality. Research and development investment and other resources are required to develop new varieties.

2. Developing premium differentiated ginger products, such as specialty ginger varieties, artisanal ginger-based food and beverages, gourmet ginger condiments, and unique ginger-infused products. Such products would cater to discerning consumers who seek innovative culinary experiences and the perceived health benefits associated with high-quality ginger.

3. Developing value-add ginger by-products. Ginger tops (stem and leaves), ginger offcuts, spent ginger, ginger peel and other organic residues are by-products with value-add potential. Ginger waste can serve as a valuable biomass source for starch production, with its high starch content, and is a promising feedstock for a zero-waste ginger biorefinery, where it can be transformed into value-added products such as antimicrobial materials, environmental remediation agents, supercapacitors, bioenergy and heterogeneous catalysts.