Garlic market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian garlic market remained stable in its initial years, with volumes hovering between 306 and 310 thousand tonnes from 2018 to 2019. During this period, the market was almost entirely supplied by domestic production, as imports were negligible and exports minimal.

A pronounced contraction began in 2020, when the market volume dropped by 22.5% to 240 thousand tonnes and fell a further 18.4% in 2021 to 196 thousand tonnes. This two-year decline reduced total market size by more than a third compared to the 2019 level.

A recovery followed in 2022, with volume growing by 16.4% to 228 thousand tonnes, though it saw a slight decrease of 2.9% in 2023 to 221 thousand tonnes. The market's trajectory throughout the period was closely aligned with changes in domestic garlic production.

Production garlic in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of garlic.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, garlic production in Ethiopia experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 239.4 thousand tonnes of garlic, representing a 22.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 17.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 310.0 thousand tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 50.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ethiopia's garlic production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 114.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 26.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 6.7%, corresponding to an annualized decline rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 168.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports garlic from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Ethiopia's garlic export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 273 tonnes, down by 39.8% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 74.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 36.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Djibouti and Sudan were the primary destinations for Ethiopia's garlic exports in volume terms, together accounting for 89.4% of total flows, while the remaining share went to other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Garlic exports from Ethiopia declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 130.6 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 42.4% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 79.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -41.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Sudan and Djibouti accounted for 84.1% of Ethiopia's total garlic export value, with the rest distributed among other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports garlic to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 2 586-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 1 109 tonnes of garlic, up by 235.9% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at just 0.4 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.4%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, soaring by 76 896.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan and China dominated Ethiopia's garlic import structure in volume terms, with other countries collectively making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility in these years. Import value hit its lowest in 2018 and reached its highest in 2020, reflecting a 626-fold gap. In 2020, Ethiopia's garlic imports were valued at 878.4 thousand US dollars, increasing by 206.7% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1.4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 99.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, jumping by 20 321.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Sudan and China were the dominant suppliers of garlic to Ethiopia in value terms, together capturing 92.8% of total imports, with other partners playing a minor role.

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

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