Garlic market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian garlic market opened the period at 49 300 t in 2018. It contracted by 9.5% to 44 617 t in 2019, coinciding with the implementation of mandatory origin labeling rules for fresh fruit and vegetables, which increased compliance costs and temporarily constrained import volumes. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market growing 10.2% to 49 176 t, supported by rising consumer interest in fresh, short-supply-chain and organic produce, which boosted overall demand.

Market volume then stabilized in 2021 at 47 970 t, a mild 2.5% decrease, as the sector adapted to the new EU organic production and labeling regulation. A more pronounced decline of 7.7% to 44 295 t occurred in 2022. This was linked to the enactment of the law supporting small local agri-food productions (PPL), which facilitated direct sales of domestic garlic but contributed to a sharp 16.1% drop in imports that was not fully offset by local output.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 49 325 t, an 11.4% increase, primarily driven by a 24.1% surge in import volumes, even as domestic production continued its gradual downward trend.

Production garlic in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Italy has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Italy produced 27 970 tonnes of garlic, marking a modest decrease of 4.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 30 500 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 1.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports garlic from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy exported 10 111 tonnes of garlic, representing a significant increase of 30.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 771 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 18.0% during this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia were the primary destinations for Italy's garlic exports by volume. Germany accounted for 49.1% of exports, Austria for 17.6%, and Slovenia for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented 72.1% of Italy's total garlic export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Italy's garlic exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 at 23 335 thousand US dollars, then climbed to their peak in 2020 at 40 547 thousand US dollars, representing a 1.7-fold increase. In 2020, the value of garlic exports surged by 73.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 19.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia formed the core group of markets for Italy's garlic exports by value. Germany accounted for 49.8% of export value, Austria for 17.1%, and Slovenia for 5.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 72.2% of Italy's total garlic export value.

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

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

Imports garlic to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy imported 31 317 tonnes of garlic, showing a sharp increase of 35.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 118 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.2% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain dominated Italy's garlic imports by volume, accounting for 70.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Italy's garlic imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 at 49 756 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 88 097 thousand US dollars, representing a 1.8-fold increase. In 2020, the value of garlic imports jumped by 77.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—Spain and the Netherlands—accounted for the majority of Italy's garlic imports by value, while other markets individually played less significant roles.

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

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