This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00285(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.1.1_tier2_cmd_00285.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Galangal |
| Scientific name | Alpinia galanga |
| Family / Genus | Zingiberaceae / — |
| Produce category | Root Vegetable |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_3197 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 2.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Galangal | 90% | The most common commercial form of Alpinia galanga. Features a firm, pale yellow to pinkish-white rhizome with a smooth, thin skin. Flavor is pungent, citrusy, piney, and peppery, with notes of campho |
| Red Galangal | 10% | A variant of Alpinia galanga characterized by a more pronounced reddish hue on the skin and sometimes the flesh. Often described as having a slightly more intense or spicier flavor profile than Greate |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 54°F.
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 2 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.5 µL/kg·h typical (0.1–1) |
| Sensitivity class | very_low |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Galangal is a non-climacteric rhizome with very low ethylene production and sensitivity. It does not ripen post-harvest.
Mixed-load compatibility
Group 1 (Ethylene insensitive, low ethylene producer, strong odor emitter)
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Growing, driven by increasing interest in Southeast Asian cuisine and health-conscious consumers.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -1 |
| Income elasticity | 0.8 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.5 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Greater Galangal (Alpinia galanga) | 95% |
| Lesser Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) | 5% |
Pack sizes
- 10 lb case
- 20 lb case
- 0.25 lb retail bag
- 0.5 lb retail bag
- 1 lb retail bag
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.