Garlic market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the ASEAN garlic market demonstrated a notable shift in value, with the market size in monetary terms growing from $1.2 billion to nearly $1.7 billion. In physical volume, consumption showed relative stability, fluctuating between 1.09 and 1.24 million tonnes, indicating that the rising market value was driven by factors beyond simple volume expansion.

The market structure began evolving with the entry of new players, as seen in 2022 when new garlic processing units for paste, powder, and peeled garlic were established in neighboring India, signaling growth in the processed segment that influences regional supply. This period was followed in 2023 by broader influences, where global climate variability affecting yields and heightened consumer focus on health benefits supported increased demand and higher market valuations for garlic products.

Moving into 2024, ongoing investments in supply chain modernization, such as the Malaysian government's RM 12 million commitment for onion and related infrastructure, alongside global supply disruptions from weather shocks in China, continued to shape the market environment. These conditions fostered the emergence of new organic product lines and strategic partnerships aimed at technological innovation in processing.

Production garlic in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in ASEAN saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 389.0 thousand tons, marking a 14.0% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell to 375.2 thousand tons, a decrease of 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 25%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ASEAN's garlic production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value hit its lowest point at 511.4 million US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 14.8%. By 2020, the value had risen to 605.3 million US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports garlic from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, garlic exports from ASEAN rebounded. In 2019, exports dropped to their lowest level at 11.0 thousand tons, following a sharp decrease of 31.5% in 2018. In 2020, exports recovered to 16.4 thousand tons, a substantial 48.3% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, ASEAN's garlic exports in volume were distributed across various countries without a clear dominant partner. The United States accounted for 5.3% of exports, Brazil for 5.0%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 4.2%. Together, these three partners made up just 14.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market for garlic exports from ASEAN experienced notable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, export value reached its lowest point at 15.5 million US dollars, after a significant decline of 48.7% in 2018. In 2020, the value rebounded to 26.4 million US dollars, marking a 70.4% increase from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2017, with the difference between the highest and lowest values being 2.3 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of garlic export value from ASEAN was diverse, with no single partner dominating. The United States held a 10.3% share, Asia, not elsewhere specified, accounted for 5.7%, and Brazil made up 5.1%. Combined, these three partners represented only 21.0% of total export flows, while the remaining 79.0% was spread across many other countries.

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

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

Imports garlic to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports into ASEAN showed variability over the years. In 2018, imports peaked at 914.0 thousand tons, but in 2019, they fell to 715.8 thousand tons, a decline of 21.7%. In 2020, imports increased to 837.3 thousand tons, up by 17.0% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated garlic imports into ASEAN in volume terms, accounting for 95.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic import value into ASEAN rose for the second consecutive year. In 2018, the value dropped to its lowest point at 707.2 million US dollars, a decrease of 19.0%. In 2019, it increased by 10.7%, and in 2020, it reached a value corresponding to a gradual year-over-year rise of 8.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall import value decreased by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the primary source for garlic imports into ASEAN in value terms, capturing 96.7% of total flows.

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

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