Garlic prices in Ukraine have soared above 2.2 EUR per kilogram, making it one of the most expensive vegetables. According to Tetiana Popovych, head of marketing at the "Shuvar" agricultural market, Lviv, several factors contribute to this sharp increase.
Garlic is a labour-intensive crop, requiring significant manual effort for planting, maintenance, and harvesting. This raises production costs compared to other vegetables.
The amount of land used for garlic cultivation is relatively small in Ukraine. Because of this limited production, the domestic supply is lower than demand.
Part of Ukraine's garlic supply is imported, mainly from China. However, the war has complicated logistics, increasing import costs.
Despite higher costs, garlic remains a staple in Ukrainian cuisine. Its strong demand keeps prices elevated as consumers continue to buy it, even at increased rates.
In 2024, the hot summer, negatively impacted the garlic harvest. Lower yields and reduced quality have further strained supply.
Wholesale garlic prices at the market average 2.4 euros per kilogram, a 13.6% decrease from last year. However, retail prices are significantly higher, with Chinese garlic priced at 3.1 EUR/kg and Ukrainian garlic ranging from 3.7 to 5.4 euros/kg.
Source: rbc.ua