"In the previous season, Spain had problems with its own fresh garlic production, which led it to try importing from other countries, such as Argentina and Chile, to be able to meet its domestic demand. This was beneficial for Argentinian exporters, who managed to sell their products in the Spanish market," says Ezequiel Martínez, CEO of the Argentinian company EXAJO.
With 120 hectares of its own and another 35 from associated growers, EXAJO has managed to keep a constant flow of exports, delivering around 40 containers a year to markets such as Australia, Brazil, the United States and Spain.
The current Argentinian garlic season is proving to be challenging due to strong competition and rising logistics costs. "Spain had a good season this year, which is affecting prices. Brazil always serves as a reference, but until the harvest starts in November, there won't be any figures available," says Martínez. "Last year, Argentinian garlic achieved good sales. The shortage of garlic in Spain and its quality problems allowed it to reach good prices in different markets. Garlic was sold in Europe for between 28 and 32 dollars per box, and in Australia it reached up to 35 dollars. However, fluctuations in the international market are one of the biggest challenges for the industry."
"Freight costs have increased considerably in recent years, which has taken a toll on competitiveness in international markets such as Europe, the United States and Asia. This increase has been particularly noticeable in shipments to distant destinations, such as Australia or Taiwan," says Martínez.
Despite the challenges, Argentinian garlic has gained ground due to its quality, flavor and size; qualities that make it stand out from competitors such as China, Spain and Peru. According to Martínez, "Argentinian garlic has a flavor that you won't get in other regions, especially in demanding markets, such as Australia. The entire production process, from harvesting to final packaging, is almost entirely carried out manually." This manual approach allows EXAJO to offer a carefully produced and well-presented product for the most demanding consumers.
One of the main challenges for EXAJO is finding markets where there is no overstock, such as Spain or the Netherlands, which receive large quantities of Chinese garlic; however, Martínez remains optimistic. "If we arrive on time with a fresh product and at a competitive price, we can maintain our presence in key markets. Moreover, we have implemented rigorous quality controls throughout the supply chain, using thermographs with satellite tracking to ensure that temperature and humidity conditions remain stable during transport.
The company uses social media and personalized customer service not only to promote its products, but also to keep its customers informed of the status of their shipments at all times. "From the moment the garlic leaves our facilities until it arrives at its destination, the client knows exactly what condition their product is in," says Martínez. The company will be taking part in the Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid, where it will be looking for new clients to expand its presence in other international markets.
"Argentinian garlic not only contributes to the local economy by generating employment and fostering technological development, but it has also become the second most exported product from the province of Mendoza, second only to wine," says Ezequiel Martínez.
For more information:
Ezequiel Martínez, CEO
EXAJO
Argentina
Tel.: +5492615250319
Tel.: +5492615881374
[email protected]
www.exajo.com
Instagram: @exajo.mendoza