There are approximately 50 ginger growers located in Australia’s sub-tropical and tropical production regions. Ginger production is both labour and capital intensive, and the industry faces challenges around biosecurity, pest and disease management, securing inputs such as irrigation, labour and seed, and an ageing grower base. 20% of ginger grown in Australia is sold to the processing sector and 80% is sold to the domestic fresh market.
The AgriFutures Ginger Program invites growers and industry to the 2026 Ginger Research Update for the latest ginger research, development and extension through live demonstrations, video highlights and practical, on‑farm insights.
GINGER / 20.06.25 The AgriFutures Ginger Program continues to drive innovation and sustainability in the Australian ginger sector through targeted research, development and extension (RD&E). Recognising the maturity and scale of international ginger markets, the Australian industry has identified valuable opportunities to learn from global practices and apply these insights locally.
3 min read
GINGER / 08.10.24 The AgriFutures Ginger Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) that aims to support a sustainable, growing and prosperous industry. The Program has nine research projects currently underway.
5 min read
GINGER / 14.04.23 Agritech has taken enormous steps in recent times – but on-farm uptake hasn’t advanced at the same pace. Determined to match strides, AgriFutures Australia hosted the inaugural Innovation Intensive Tour in February 2023.
5 min read
The AgriFutures Ginger Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) that improves the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the Australian ginger industry. The Australian...
Publication / 7 Pages
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...
Publication / 2 Pages
This blueprint serves as a resource for those interested in the ginger industry provides essential fast facts alongside the fundamental themes highlighted in the AgriFutures...
Publication / 2 Pages
The AgriFutures Ginger Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) that improves the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the Australian ginger industry. The Australian...
Publication / 44 Pages
The AgriFutures Ginger Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) to support a sustainable, growing and prosperous ginger industry that supplies product of the...
Publication / 38 Pages
This podcast explores a project called Ginger Ninja which piloted the development of an automated system that aimed to identify and sort Fusarium infected seed ginger stock.
Podcast
This research addresses the critical need to better manage ginger for Australian pests and diseases (e.g., Fusarium yellows, Pythium soft rot, and Root-knot nematodes) and...
Publication / 2 Pages
The Australian ginger industry is hoping robotics will help solve one of its biggest challenges: the removal of weeds that compete with ginger plants for water, space and nutrients.
Podcast
The commercial ginger industry in Australia is based on only two edible ginger cultivars, which are both susceptible to soil borne fungal pathogens, this puts...
Publication / 2 Pages
The project will also help improve the adoption of improved planting material and enhanced pre and post-harvest management practices. It will provide support and maintenance...
Publication
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers
November 2025 - August 2027
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
July 2025 - August 2026
Streamwise Learning
March 2025 - July 2026
Southern Cross University
January 2025 - May 2025
QED Food Consulting Ltd
December 2024 - December 2025
The University of Queensland
December 2024 - May 2026
Plant Health Australia Limited
December 2024 - November 2029
The University of Queensland
June 2024 - June 2025
SoiLife / Sustainable Solutions Hub
November 2023 - December 2024
Agaware Consulting Pty Ltd
November 2023 - June 2025
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
October 2023 - October 2024
Censeo Field and Lab Pty Ltd
January 2023 - June 2026
Queensland University of Technology
July 2022 - March 2023
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
August 2019 - August 2023
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
August 2019 - July 2022
The University of Sydney
July 2019 - July 2022
Queensland University of Technology
July 2019 - April 2021
University of the Sunshine Coast
November 2018 - January 2020
Plant Health Australia Limited
July 2018 - April 2023
Brand Story Pty Ltd
February 2018 - October 2018
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
November 2017 - July 2019
B&LC Duncan
September 2016 - August 2017
Agtrans Research
July 2016 - December 2016
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
October 2015 - May 2017
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
August 2015 - May 2017
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
June 2014 - May 2019
RM Consulting Group Pty Ltd
May 2014 - February 2016
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
June 2013 - March 2016
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
May 2013 - May 2017
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
May 2013 - July 2015
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
January 2013 - November 2016
Julie Stanton
May 2012 - June 2012
Plant Health Australia Limited
March 2012 - May 2013
Hallways Consulting
March 2012 - June 2012
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
February 2012 - July 2013
Australian Ginger Industry Association Incorporated
February 2012 - May 2013
The AgriFutures Ginger Program aims to support a sustainable, growing and prosperous industry. The Program focuses on ensuring a continued premium for Australian ginger with four key objectives:
The AgriFutures Ginger Program RD&E Plan identifies and balances the research, development and extension priorities and outcomes to promote industry productivity, profitability and sustainability.
The Australian ginger industry operates under a statutory levy of 0.5% of the sale price for both fresh ginger and seed ginger (ginger divided into pieces for planting). The levy applies to ginger grown in Australia and sold by the grower, with funds directed to research, development and extension (RD&E) activities that enhance productivity and industry innovation.
Levies are collected under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Acts and may support biosecurity, residue testing, marketing, and RD&E. For ginger, AgriFutures Australia invests the RD&E levy in line with the industry’s Strategic Plan and receives Commonwealth matching funding (up to 50c per dollar of eligible expenditure), along with third‑party contributions.
Read more about your levy
View the Ginger Annual Report Summary
A continued investment into ginger research will ensure the industry continues to increase its value. We are committed to working closely with all those involved in ginger production, including Advisory Panels and industry associations to identify research priorities and make Program investments which will have the greatest impact on the industry.
Learn about the AgriFutures Ginger Advisory Panel
Visit Australian Ginger Industry Association (AGIA)
For project-related inquiries:
Amy La
Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Ginger Program
0447 453 254
Zoe Schipp
Coordinator, Levied & Emerging Industries – Ginger Program
02 6923 6953
For industry and strategic issues and inquiries:
Lucinda Staley
Senior Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Ginger Program
Australian ginger is grown primarily in Queensland, which accounts for around 98% of national production. The industry is concentrated in south‑east Queensland, with the Sunshine Coast (particularly the Yandina area) and the Wide Bay–Burnett region forming the core growing zones due to their warm, humid climate and suitable soils.
Smaller but growing areas of production also exist in northern New South Wales, where interest in small‑scale ginger farming is increasing as growers look to diversify and supply niche and local markets.
The key difference between early harvest and late harvest ginger is maturity, texture and flavour. Early harvest ginger, also known as young ginger, is harvested sooner and is mild, tender and virtually fibre‑free, making it ideal for processing, confectionery and value‑added products. Late harvest ginger is left to mature longer, developing thicker skin, firmer flesh and a stronger, more pungent flavour. This mature ginger is typically sold fresh in supermarkets and food service.
Ongoing research into improved tissue culture production of ginger clean planting material supports quality and consistency across both harvest types.
Australian ginger farming is increasingly sustainable, supported by targeted research, development and extension as outlined in the AgriFutures Ginger Program RD&E Plan 2022–2027, which prioritises high‑quality product and sustainable production systems, investing in best‑management practices, disease management, soil health and improved planting material.
Research focuses on reducing input costs, improving productivity and managing biosecurity risks, while supporting growers to adopt environmentally responsible practices. This approach helps ensure Australian ginger remains competitive, resilient and profitable while meeting growing expectations around sustainability and responsible land stewardship.
We recommend reading the AgriFutures Ginger Program Strategic RD&E Plan to understand the Program goal, priorities and what kinds of RD&E activities are funded. We also recommend learning about the AgriFutures Ginger Advisory Panel.
For ongoing updates – current and past contracted projects, Program updates, project outcomes and extension activities are regularly shared on the AgriFutures website, social media platforms and other official communications channels, with regular industry updates also sent via an opt-in AgriFutures Ginger Program email subscription list.
Further research and insights are available from the Australian Ginger Industry Association (AGIA).
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