"Considerable quantities of refrigerated garlic from the past season are still available, mainly from China and Spain. Prices have remained substantially low. Ninety days until the new garlic will be harvested all over Europe - especially in Spain, Italy and France - it looks like the new campaign will be characterized by weak prices and low demand," reports Antonio Tucillo, administrator at Agrimpex Farming.
"The quantities available in Europe in spring/summer will probably be similar to last year. With the change in commercial flow, a new period of low prices is feared, which will probably not be profitable for producers. The three months to go will be decisive, so let's hope for the weather to be favorable."
Refrigerated garlic (photo supplied by Antonio Tuccillo)
Italy
"In Italy, the domestic produce did rather well, obtaining better prices than the imported produce. The weather has not been the best so far, so we are worried about the yields and quality of the next productions. We are keeping our fingers crossed that there will not be other variables that will have an effect on cultivation costs."
Early garlic in Campania (photo by Antonio Tuccillo)
"We started producing aglione in Campania which, on top of boasting very large grades, does not have the typical smell of traditional garlic. We are trying to increase selling opportunities with those consumers who are not fond of strong flavors and who do not tolerate the low digestibility of traditional garlic."
Packed aglione (photo by Antonio Tuccillo)
Tuccillo also stresses how fresh Egyptian garlic will soon be available in Italy. "In this case too, prices are rather low and no increases are expected."
Fresh garlic from Egypt (photo by Antonio Tuccillo)
China and Spain
According to Tuccillo, the biggest problem is China, where refrigerated quantities from last year are still available at ridiculous prices and will probably depreciate even more. "China is the leading exporter of garlic in the world and, after a few years characterized by relatively high prices controlled by great speculation, it has adapted to supply/demand and is paying the consequences of an excessive production accumulated over the past 4-5 years."
"Spain, the second garlic exporter in the world, is dealing with excessive quantities available and high processing costs due to the higher prices for transport, packaging and energy needed for refrigeration."
South America
"The produce from South America has reached at $2.20-2.50 FOB, but did not perform well on the market due to the tiredness of the European markets."