Garlic market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the fresh garlic market in Canada fluctuated between 21 744 t and 26 130 t from 2018 to 2023, peaking in 2020. The market is largely import-dependent, with shipments from abroad constituting the majority of supply. Domestic production remained a small share, showing variability with a notable dip in 2019 followed by recovery.

Market volume grew to 26 130 t in 2022, supported by consistent imports from China, the dominant supplier with efficient production and logistics. This import flow ensured ample market supply. Meanwhile, domestic marketed production increased, driven by upward trends in Ontario and Quebec, though a sharp decline in British Columbia partially offset national output.

By 2023, the total market volume stabilized at 25 788 t. Consumer interest shifted toward value-added and organic garlic products, affecting demand patterns. Concurrent import competition and a continued sharp production decline in British Columbia kept domestic output in check, even as planted area reached a record high.

Production garlic in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Canada's garlic production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 1 840 tonnes of garlic that year, marking a sharp increase of 47.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 17.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 248 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.2% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports garlic from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Canada's garlic exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 169 tonnes of garlic, showing a robust decrease of 10.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 28.6%, with an average annual decline of 10.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 296 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 25.1% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 36.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada's garlic exports in volume terms were almost entirely directed to the United States, which accounted for 90.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of garlic exports from Canada totaled 648 thousand US dollars, up by 35.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values increased by 5.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 479 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.0% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of garlic exports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, with a share of 96.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to Canada

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Canada's garlic imports increased in 2020. Imports were recorded at 24 240 tonnes, up by 17.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.9%, with an average annual decline of 14.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 684 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 45.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the key supplier of garlic to Canada, accounting for 78.3% of total imports in volume terms, while a diversified group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Canada's garlic import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The import volume stood at 54 538 thousand US dollars, showing a notable rise of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 12.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37 521 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.6% that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States continued to lead the list of markets for garlic imports in value terms, together accounting for 81.7% of total import flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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