Ginger market benefits farmers in Laizhou

A ginger trading market in Laizhou, Yantai, East China's Shandong province, is proving convenient for local ginger growers and wholesalers, as well as helping increase farmers'incomes.

Located in Pinglidian town, Laizhou, the trading market was established in August 2015 and covers an area of 3.33 hectares.

It is Laizhou's first professional ginger trading market, where local ginger growers and wholesalers can trade, without paying commission to the market.

Zhang Xubin, director of the market, said that there are 22 ginger washing lines in the market, providing free services for growers.

There are also 65 storage rooms and a drying workshop, added Zhang.

The establishment of the market offers a cooperative trading platform for farmers and merchants in Laizhou, effectively solving the problem of scattered sales and low prices, according to Sun Zhusheng, an official of Laizhou agricultural bureau.

The transaction price of ginger is 0.4-0.6 yuan per kilogram higher than in small markets.

"Each family plants around 10 mu (0.67 hectares) of ginger, and it can bring annual profits of 10,000 yuan ($1,494) to 20,000 yuan per mu", said one ginger grower.

   The ginger trading market in Laizhou, Yantai, Shandong province [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

   Ginger pictured in the trading market in Laizhou, Yantai, Shandong province [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

   A farmer shows off his ginger in Laizhou, Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]