Garlic market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian garlic market volume grew steadily from 344 thousand tons in 2018 to 368 thousand tons in 2020. This initial expansion was underpinned by the country's established role as the world's second-largest garlic producer, and the adoption of modern production means in the agricultural sector during 2019, which helped boost yields.

A period of accelerated growth followed, with the market volume jumping to 436 thousand tons in 2021 and reaching 573 thousand tons by 2023. This surge occurred alongside a broader rise in Egypt's agricultural exports. By 2023, however, the sector began to contend with shrinking cultivation areas due to rising farming costs, a factor that contributed to increasing prices despite the higher production volumes.

In 2024, the market dynamics were influenced by the opening of export channels, which led to the shipment of around 30 thousand tons abroad in the prior season, tightening domestic supply. Concurrently, production costs were driven up by higher fuel and transport prices, and weather fluctuations affected crop conditions.

Production garlic in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt maintained the 5th position globally in garlic production volume.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Egypt's garlic production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 377.1 K t of garlic, marking a 3.8% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 30.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.2%.

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

Exports garlic from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5 399 t and peaked in 2020 at 14 583 t, representing a 2.7-fold increase over this period. In 2020, garlic exports from Egypt amounted to 14 583 t, a 3.4% rise compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 47.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 161.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Egypt's garlic exports in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Russia accounted for 25.0% of exports, Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 15.1%, and Poland for 7.4%, with these three markets together making up only 47.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export values dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 12 705 K $ US and climbed to a maximum in 2020 at 39 687 K $ US, a 3.1-fold shift. In 2020, garlic exports from Egypt amounted to 39 687 K $ US, showing a steep rise of 42.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 53.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, jumping by 119.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Russia was the largest buyer of Egyptian garlic in value terms, accounting for 25.6% of exports, followed by Asia (not elsewhere specified) at 14.5% and Poland at 7.3%. Together, these three markets represented 47.4% of total exports in value terms, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports garlic to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes bottomed out in 2018 at 1 109 t and peaked in 2020 at 5 674 t, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 5.1 times. In 2020, Egypt's garlic imports totaled 5 674 t, constituting a 177.7% advance from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 22.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China played a dominant role in Egypt's garlic imports in kind, consistently accounting for 96.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values hit a trough in 2018 at 2 450 K $ US and a peak in 2020 at 11 619 K $ US, with a 4.7-fold gap. In 2020, the volume of garlic imports to Egypt stood at 11 619 K $ US, up by 200.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 29.5%.

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

In 2017–2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with China alone accounting for 96.6% of total flows.

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

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