The supply of garlic is limited right now. “We are seeing the supply starting to improve and stabilize a bit. However garlic always deals with some logistical challenges from China,” says Anthony Serafino of Exp Group, LLC, noting supply is less than this time last year.
That includes working with the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday in Asia, happening on February 10th. “There’s a labor shortage in China during Lunar New Year because they have a mandatory one week of no work. It’s pretty standard each year.” He does add that situations such as the Houthi Rebels targeting ships in the Red Sea also add another wrench into the global supply chain.
Right now, garlic in North America is largely arriving on the West Coast which is where Exp. Group is pulling supply from. “It’s a bit of tug of war for some garlic--in Canada, it’s getting shipped through Vancouver and in the U.S., it’s being brought from California to the Eastern portion of the U.S.,” says Serafino.
Demand outweighing supply
On top of the shipping challenges, demand for garlic also remains strong. “We just haven’t had enough--that’s the big thing with garlic is that there just isn’t enough so the supply remains tight,” says Serafino.
Not surprisingly, that’s leaving strong pricing. “Once we get past the Lunar New Year, we should see some improvement on garlic supply. However, I do see demand and pricing for garlic to remain elevated until then. I don’t see garlic pricing easing for another six to eight weeks in fact,” says Serafino. “I’m hoping then we see some easing on pricing. Garlic though is a fairly expensive commodity that doesn’t seem to get relief because it’s in such demand.”
For more information:
Anthony Serafino
Exp. Group LLC
Tel: (+1) 201-662-2001
[email protected]
www.expgroup.us