Seasonal Guide for Ginger, Garlic, Galangal & Turmeric
Victorian garlic has a short but punchy season, delivering bold flavour, low moisture, and excellent shelf life — a far cry from the bleached, imported stuff. Ginger, mostly grown in Queensland, is freshest and most affordable from late summer to early autumn, with imports filling the gap during off months.
As global flavours continue to influence Australian menus, we’re also seeing growing demand for galangal and fresh turmeric — staples in Southeast Asian and Indian cooking. While supply is still limited, Victorian and QLD growers are expanding their production, and availability is slowly increasing.
Pro tip: The flavour of locally grown garlic, ginger and turmeric is noticeably stronger and cleaner than imported varieties. For dishes where these ingredients are front and centre, local is worth it.
Peak Season: Garlic: February to May (VIC) - Ginger, Galangal & Turmeric: Late summer to mid-autumn
Off Season: Garlic: Imported - Ginger, galangal & turmeric: Available year-round, often imported or frozen
Storage tips:
Garlic: Store in a dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight
Ginger: Wrap in paper towel and store in the fridge, or peel and freeze whole.
Turmeric: Store like ginger; it stains easily, so keep wrapped
Galangal: Keep refrigerated; freeze sliced for longer storage if needed
| Garlic & Tubers | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Ginger | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Galangal | 🟡 Good |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK |
🟡 Good |
🟡 Good |
| Turmeric | 🟡 Good |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK |
🟡 Good |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.