The garlic market is expected to remain “bullish” for some time as China remains in control of an increasingly lucrative product.
It is the world’s largest producer at 11 million tonnes a year, is at the heart of a tight market hit by short supply and an increase in domestic consumption.
Prices for Chinese garlic at wholesale ranged from 1390p to 1475p for 4.5kg on UK markets last week, with Egyptian and Spanish product far cheaper at 1800-1900p for 10kg. Sainsbury’s is charging 88p for three bulbs from Spain, which produces 145,000t per year.
John Smith, chairman of Greyfriars, which sells 600-700t of garlic each year, told FPJ there are a number of factors at play.
He said: “The cottage industry approach to production in China is waning as people move to the cities. Also, as people go to town their eating tastes change and they eat more garlic so domestic production is increasing while production falls.
“We do not envisage Chinese availability being stepped up in the international market. We are expecting a fairly bullish outlook for the next year on garlic.”
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