Garlic market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The garlic market in the CIS region began the period heavily reliant on imports, particularly from China, which supplied around 80% of the market. Domestic production remained limited, with industrial farms contributing a small share. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge in demand and imports, especially from China and Egypt, pushing the market volume to 684 thousand tons despite a decline in domestic output.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021 as the sown area for garlic in the industrial sector shrunk significantly, leading to a nearly 30% drop in harvest from agricultural organizations. The market landscape shifted again in 2022 under the impact of sanctions, which reduced supplies from traditional partners but spurred increased imports from Iran. Concurrently, domestic production began to recover, helping the overall market volume grow to 631 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 635 thousand tons, supported by the expansion of sown areas by large producers. However, Chinese suppliers retained a dominant position, influencing prices. Factors such as local droughts and potential quality standard adjustments for domestic garlic continued to shape the market environment.

Production garlic in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 607.5 K t of garlic, marking a moderate year-on-year decrease of 3.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 10.6% to reach a peak of 665.9 K t. However, this was followed by the steepest decline in 2019, with a drop of 5.5%.

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

Exports garlic from CIS

Exports in kind, t

The export market for garlic from the CIS experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1 845 t, but then surged dramatically in 2019, increasing by 189.4% to reach a peak of 5 341 t. By 2020, exports had fallen to 2 836 t, representing a sharp decline of 46.9% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.9 between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of garlic from the CIS in volume terms were Ukraine, Georgia, and Iraq, though none dominated the market. Ukraine accounted for 8.6% of exports, Georgia for 1.9%, and Iraq for 1.3%. Together, these three countries made up 11.8% of total exports, with the rest spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Garlic exports from the CIS in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3.5 M $ US, a decrease of 42.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 47.4%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 19.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, garlic exports from the CIS in value terms were widely distributed across various markets. The top three destinations were Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Georgia, but their combined share was relatively small. Ukraine accounted for 7.8% of exports, Turkmenistan for 1.1%, and Georgia for 1.0%, totaling just 10.0% of overall flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Garlic imports into the CIS increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 79 693 t, showing a steep rise of 38.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018, with imports at 55 992 t, which represented an 8.8% decline from the year before. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 29.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant source for garlic imports into the CIS in volume terms, accounting for 77.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among a range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into the CIS in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 105.0 M $ US, corresponding to a gain of 26.3% over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 74.5 M $ US, which marked a decline of 17.0% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 17%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, China was the key supplier of garlic to the CIS in value terms, taking 78.7% of total imports. The remainder was accounted for by a diversified group of other countries.

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

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