Garlic market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, garlic consumption in Eastern Asia first increased, supported by ample supply that put downward pressure on prices. In 2019, despite speculative trading that pushed purchase prices sharply higher, a record volume of sun-dried garlic entered the market, maintaining availability. This helped lift consumption to 19 768 thousand tonnes. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 towards the end of 2019 led to a sharp contraction in sales, contributing to a slight dip in consumption to 19 582 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Following the initial pandemic shock, consumption rebounded in 2021, reaching 20 143 thousand tonnes as demand recovered. The market then entered a phase of stabilization. In 2022, high inventory levels ensured sufficient supply, keeping consumption steady at 20 116 thousand tonnes. The year 2023 saw a marginal decline to 20 017 thousand tonnes, influenced by reduced consumer spending power after the lifting of pandemic restrictions and a noticeable shift in buyer preference towards more affordable sources.

In 2024, planting area for garlic expanded further, while cultivation costs rose significantly. Cold storage inventory increased slightly year-on-year. Globally, supply remained tight due to below-normal production in key regions like Spain and California, which bolstered China's export competitiveness. Domestically, garlic prices surged by nearly 40% after the Spring Festival, hitting a five-year high, driven by perceived production shortages, weather factors, and speculative capital. The period also saw increased activity on local trading platforms and the emergence of new packaging and product innovations.

Production garlic in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Eastern Asia grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 21 810 thousand tons of garlic, which was a 1.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.2%.

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

Exports garlic from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's garlic exports reached 2 255 thousand tons in 2020, showing a significant 27.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.8%, with an average annual rate of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's garlic exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Indonesia accounted for 28.9% of exports by volume, Vietnam for 11.8%, and Malaysia for 6.9%, together making up 47.6% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Garlic exports from Eastern Asia increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 073 million US dollars, marking a moderate 3.9% rise from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall export value decreased by 5.3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 410 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 35.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 41.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of garlic exports from Eastern Asia was not highly concentrated. Indonesia represented 23.6% of export value, Vietnam 16.0%, and Malaysia 6.1%, together accounting for 45.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports into Eastern Asia declined in volume for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 26 thousand tons, a sharp 15.8% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual rate of decline of 2.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 33 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and the United States were the top suppliers of garlic to Eastern Asia, together holding a 6.1% share of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into Eastern Asia increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 53 million US dollars, showing a modest 3.7% rise compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall import value fell by 13.9%, averaging an annual decline of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 20.2% that year. In 2019, imports saw the biggest increase of 4.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Spain, the United States, and Argentina—together accounted for 14.2% of the total value of garlic imports into Eastern Asia.

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

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