Garlic market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, government intervention in garlic electronic trading platforms, including the shutdown of problematic exchanges in Shandong and the launch of a commodity trading center to stabilize prices, increased market transparency and reduced speculation. Concurrent overproduction due to farmers'盲目 expansion of planting area led to the lowest purchase prices in five years and significant losses for growers. Market volume rose in 2019 as prices surged dramatically, attracting substantial private capital and active market speculation. High cold storage inventory levels and ample supply characterized the market in 2020, supporting volume despite a minor dip.

After 2020, market volume continued to expand in 2021. By 2022, growth in the allicin extract market, driven by increasing use in oral dietary supplements, bolstered demand for processing garlic, contributing to stable overall market volume. In 2023, however, despite a 16.04% increase in autumn sowing area and an 18.72% rise in summer harvest output in northern regions, a decline in consumer purchasing power following the lifting of pandemic restrictions led to a reduction in market volume. For 2024, garlic export volume and value grew, with Southeast Asia as a key market, while planting area increased by 5% supported by favorable sowing weather.

Production garlic in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of garlic.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

China's garlic production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 21 345 K t of garlic, marking a 1.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

Exports garlic from China

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's garlic exports reached 2 254 K t, up by 28.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 31.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia were among the largest buyers of Chinese garlic, accounting for 28.9%, 11.8%, and 6.9% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented just 47.6% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's garlic exports in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2 063 M $ US worth of garlic, a 3.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 410 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 35.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 41.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chinese garlic was exported to a wide range of markets. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia accounted for 23.7%, 16.1%, and 6.1% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 45.9% of the overall value. The remaining 54.1% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports garlic to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a fluctuation of 1 594 times. In 2020, China imported 0.0 K t of garlic, a sharp increase of 61.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 159 277.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain dominated China's garlic imports in kind, consistently representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a fluctuation of 29 times. In 2020, China imported garlic valued at 0.0 M $ US, up by 58.8% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 90.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 2 757.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of China's garlic imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Spain alone accounting for 99.5% of total flows.

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

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