Garlic market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Brazil's garlic production grew from 118.9 thousand tons to 184.8 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by sustained government and institutional support for research and development, particularly in multiplying virus-free garlic seed. Investments by the Ministry of Agriculture and Embrapa aimed at revitalizing the crop in states like Espírito Santo and Paraná helped increase domestic output and reduce import dependency.

Imports of fresh garlic peaked at 193.5 thousand tons in 2020 before falling to 115.0 thousand tons by 2023. The decline was influenced by a favorable exchange rate, high international freight costs, and antidumping duties on Chinese garlic. From 2022, imports from Mercosur countries, especially Argentina, dominated but became subject to new identification and classification rules under Portaria 435, tightening control over the quality of incoming garlic.

Domestically, Brazilian garlic, notably the purple variety from the Cerrado region, gained greater consumer acceptance due to its superior flavor and appearance. Producer associations actively promoted the national product through marketing campaigns. However, production costs remained high, exceeding R$ 200 thousand per hectare in key regions, posing a challenge when international supply and stocks pressured local prices.

Production garlic in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Brazil ranked 15th globally in garlic production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of garlic, 2018-2021

World map of production of garlic, 2018-2021

Brazil's garlic production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 167.1 K t of garlic, showing a modest 7.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 40.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports garlic from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

The export market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 24-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Brazil exported 0.2 K t of garlic, marking a sharp 77.1% decrease year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.7 K t, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 1 164.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil's garlic exports in volume were heavily concentrated on Argentina, which accounted for 72.1% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market in value terms showed volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, changing by a factor of 19. In 2021, Brazil exported 0.6 M $ US worth of garlic, down 71.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 2.1 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 718.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the main buyers of Brazilian garlic by value were Argentina (63.8% of exports), the Marshall Islands (5.2%), and the United States (4.6%), together comprising 73.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports garlic to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, garlic imports into Brazil declined. In 2021, Brazil imported 125.4 K t of garlic, indicating a steep 35.0% year-over-year loss. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 23.7%, equating to an 8.6% annualized rate. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 193.5 K t, with the largest increase that year at 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina (with 47.9% of total flows) and China (41.9%) together formed 89.8% of Brazil's garlic imports in volume, while other partners accounted for the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, garlic shipments to Brazil from abroad declined. In 2021, Brazil imported 180.6 M $ US worth of garlic, equivalent to an abrupt 37.7% year-over-year decline. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 3.5%, equating to a 1.2% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 289.9 M $ US, with the largest increase in 2019 at 27.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Argentina and China remained the primary suppliers of garlic to Brazil, with a combined share of 88.8% of total import value, while the remainder was fragmented across other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021