The garlic campaign kicked off in the second week of May in the Spanish region of Andalusia, where the acreage has been reduced by between 20% and 25% each season in the last two campaigns.
"In general, producers are acting in a highly professional manner and are managing their crops well, despite dealing with severe legislative restrictions on the use of agrochemicals, which are putting them at a significant competitive disadvantage with other origins, so we expect yields and quality to be good," says Juan Carlos Navarro, manager of Big Garlic.
According to the producer and marketer, the new garlic season has started with an empty market. "The scarcity resulting from the damage caused by heavy rains during the last garlic harvest season made things challenging. The new season has started with the right weather and good crops. The demand is good and we hope things will continue this way. The market appreciates the quality and food safety of Spanish garlic," he says.
This week, the earliest harvests are starting in the region of Castile-La Mancha, where, according to Juan Carlos Navarro, the acreage devoted to this crop has also decreased over the last two seasons, by 12% and 14%, respectively. Still, Castile-La Mancha remains the largest garlic production region in Spain by far, with some 16,000 hectares this season.
"The acreage devoted to purple garlic has been declining because its yield per hectare is lower than that of spring garlic, which results in a higher cost per kilo. Without a doubt, purple garlic is a variety with a more intense flavor that also retains its qualities better over time after the harvest. Economic factors have led to a decrease in its acreage, but this should not have an impact on the overall export of Spanish garlic."
"The quality is excellent and the sizes are large, so the yields per hectare will be good," says Juan Carlos. "Decreases in the acreage are usually associated with a loss of profitability due to an imbalance between sale prices and production costs. We hope that prices will remain attractive enough for producers to continue betting on garlic cultivation in the future. As for the demand, there is usually a good balance in the market in the end. No markets will be left without garlic."
"Some companies already consider switching from processed Chinese garlic to Spanish garlic"
Regarding competition with China, Juan Carlos Navarro says that "we do not compete on equal terms. China and Spain have different social, environmental and sanitary standards. We work in markets where consumers prefer our fresh garlic and are willing to accept the higher price, given the added value provided."
"While it is true that in the field of processed garlic (garlic paste, frozen and dehydrated) there is some unfair competition that harms Spanish garlic, this type of garlic is used in the retail, food service and industries, making it difficult for the end consumer to be aware of what they are consuming. Usually, the end consumer doesn't have a clear idea of the origin of the garlic, and consequently, they consume products that may not align with their preferences and social conscience," says the manager of Big Garlic.
"There are some companies that are already considering switching from processed Chinese garlic to Spanish garlic. We hope that this trend becomes widespread in the industry and, above all, that legislation in this area will seek to boost transparency for the end consumer," says Juan Carlos Navarro.
For more information:
Juan Carlos Navarro
Big Garlic
T: +34 9654331 27
M: +34 609601654
[email protected]
www.big-garlic.com