Garlic market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the domestic garlic market volume in Argentina increased from 44.0 thousand tons to 58.4 thousand tons. This rise occurred amid stable, export-oriented production, with the domestic market historically consuming about 20% of output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global garlic supply, particularly from China, affecting world prices and boosting domestic demand in Argentina.

After 2020, the market volume contracted sharply, reaching 36.2 thousand tons by 2023, as exports grew to 121.1 thousand tons. The sector's strong export orientation and reliance on external demand, especially from Brazil, directed most production abroad. Cultivated area for key varieties like Morado and early White expanded significantly, supporting output. Domestic demand was underpinned by growing consumer awareness of garlic's health benefits and changing dietary habits, but could not offset the rising export volumes.

By 2024, the sector continued to face challenges including high informality in primary production and the need for packaging innovations to access Asian markets. Global factors such as reduced world supply from China and Spain and the high quality of Argentine garlic maintained high export prices and reinforced the focus on external markets.

Production garlic in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was one of the world's leading garlic producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 14th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Argentina's garlic production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 154.9 thousand tons of garlic, marking a 1.2% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports garlic from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

Argentina's garlic exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 97.8 thousand tons, showing only a marginal change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 107.4 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 29.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the primary destination for Argentina's garlic exports in volume terms, accounting for 77.1% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Argentina's garlic exports in value terms increased. In 2020, export value totaled 172.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp 32.0% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 131.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 28.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil played the leading role in Argentina's garlic exports in value terms, holding an 80.5% share of total flows. Other markets together accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020

Imports garlic to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Argentina's garlic imports showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 53-fold difference between these years. In 2020, garlic deliveries to Argentina stood at 1.3 thousand tons, reflecting a gain of 5,239.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 83.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the main supplier of garlic to Argentina in volume terms, accounting for 47.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Argentina's garlic imports in value terms exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and reached their highest in 2020, with a 79-fold difference between these years. In 2020, garlic deliveries to Argentina totaled 3.0 million US dollars, up by 7,798.4% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 84.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, Brazil remained the key source for Argentina's garlic imports in value terms, accounting for 54.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020