According to the director of Agroinnovation, wholesale garlic prices in Ukraine have surged this year from 1.8 euros/kg last year to 3.5 euros/kg. The cost of planting seeds has remained stable, creating favourable conditions for producers. This price increase is primarily driven by China reducing its garlic planting areas to elevate global prices.
In contrast, Spain and Argentina have reported record garlic yields this season.
However, Ukraine's domestic garlic production remains minimal, with only 200 hectares planted last year. Meanwhile, garlic imports into Ukraine have exceeded 124,000 tons, with estimates suggesting the actual figure could be 3-4 times higher.
Despite these rising prices, Ukrainian farmers are reluctant to expand their planting areas. The ongoing war has created financial constraints, while a conservative farming mentality and low land prices deter farmers from diversifying their crops. Furthermore, the absence of successful garlic farming examples in northern Ukraine, compounded by the occupation of southern regions, complicates the situation further.
Source: agrotimes.ua