This week marks the start of the garlic harvesting campaign, including that of the early Spring variety, in areas such as the Spanish province of Granada, where this spring's rains have set the stage for a promising season ahead, with good production, large garlic sizes and rising prices.
"This year, due to the impact of drought and uncertainty at the time of planting, Spain has seen a 25-30% reduction in the garlic planting. Some fields are experiencing bacterial issues, but all signs point to a positive season after three years of challenging campaigns marred by quality issues," says Yohan Lanoë, CEO of Lanoë Group.
"Last year was disastrous due to the rains, but right now the weather conditions are favorable. Temperatures are constantly rising and have already reached 30 degrees Celsius, and there has been no rainfall, which has allowed the garlic to dry and develop well. This week, we're starting our first shipments to Europe."
"Aside from those fields with bacterial problems, which will yield batches that will have to be brought to market quickly, we're expecting a good quality and very high prices. The lower harvest also means less competition. In fact, last year, garlic was bought for a gross price of 1.5 €/kg, and this year we're already negotiating prices of around 2.3 €/kg, which will be reflected in the finished and packaged product."
"At Lanoë Group, we have become specialists in peeled garlic, a format we use for our purple and our pink garlic of the Ail Rose de Lautrec type, which we already sell in France and Germany, and which we aim to bring to more European countries. We also produce and market white and purple garlic,
which we export to France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Italy, and this year we plan to open new lines in Scandinavia with the new design of our Triomphe brand."
Regarding purple garlic, its harvest will begin in July. "Some growth issues have been reported in the south of Granada, so we're expecting smaller sizes and volumes," says Yohan, "but this will also mean that, as with the earlier varieties, the price will be quite high."
It should be noted that the Andalusian garlic sector was one of the many unfortunately affected by last season's drought. According to data from the Government of Andalusia, the area planted with garlic was reduced by 37.8% compared to the previous campaign, when the water shortage had already taken its toll, and by 45% compared to the 2021/22 season. The drop in the production was even greater due to lower yields, which fell by 45.5% and 55.6% compared to the 2022/23 and 2021/22 campaigns, respectively.
"The acreage in 2024 is down by 25% compared to last year, when we already saw such a decrease. Therefore, it is essential that garlic growers turn a profit this year after several very difficult years in which all costs have risen. Not only is it necessary, but it is crucial for the continuity of garlic cultivation in Spain."
For more information:
Lanoë Group
Tel.: +34 953.093.323
[email protected]
www.lanoegroup.com