Garlic market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the garlic market in MERCOSUR expanded from 340 thousand tons to 421 thousand tons in physical volume. This growth coincided with a global rise in garlic demand, driven by its culinary and perceived health benefits, as well as the increasing popularity of vegan diets. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated consumer preference for healthy foods, boosting demand for fresh and processed garlic.

After reaching a peak in 2020, market volume contracted to 355 thousand tons in 2021 and stabilized around 357 thousand tons in 2022. During this phase, the Argentine government actively promoted garlic exports through ministerial meetings with producers, while international prices experienced pressure due to large stored supplies from China. By 2023, physical volume slightly decreased to 349 thousand tons, but market value rose to 532 million US dollars, partly reflecting the consolidation of processed garlic segments like peeled and dehydrated products, alongside increased shipments of Argentine garlic to Brazil within the trade bloc.

Throughout the period, consumer shifts toward organic and convenient products stimulated organic garlic production and expanded processed offerings. Innovations in cold chain logistics across Latin America also enhanced the storage and transportation of fresh garlic, supporting market evolution.

Production garlic in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in MERCOSUR has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 311.8 K t of garlic, marking a 9.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 271.1 K t, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Garlic production in MERCOSUR has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of garlic output reached 2 097 M $ US, reflecting a moderate year-on-year rise of 9.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value decreased by 12.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 739 M $ US, which experienced a significant drop of 27.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase at 10.3%.

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

Exports garlic from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, MERCOSUR's garlic export volume amounted to 105.7 K t, up 15.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.8%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 91.6 K t, which saw a decline of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of garlic from MERCOSUR in volume terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (8.6% of exports), the United States (7.1% of exports), and Mexico (2.0% of exports). Together, these three markets accounted for 17.6% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of garlic exports from MERCOSUR reached 175.0 M $ US, showing a sharp increase of 33.3% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 131.3 M $ US, following a significant decline of 28.2% in 2018.

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

The structure of garlic exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of partners. The United States (7.2% of exports), Asia, not elsewhere specified (4.6% of exports), and France (2.0% of exports) together accounted for only 13.8% of total export value. The remaining 86.2% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports garlic to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, garlic imports into MERCOSUR rebounded. In 2020, the region imported approximately 214.7 K t of garlic, representing a dramatic year-on-year increase of 26.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 18.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 169.9 K t, following a decline of 6.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (45.3% of imports), Spain (8.8% of imports), and Chile (1.5% of imports) were the leading sources of garlic imports into MERCOSUR in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into MERCOSUR have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of imported garlic reached 191.0 M $ US, indicating an advance of 23.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 191.0 M $ US, which saw a substantial decline of 37.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 27.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (35.7% of imports), Spain (8.8% of imports), and Chile (2.4% of imports) together accounted for 47.0% of the total value of garlic imports into MERCOSUR, remaining the primary sources for the region.

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

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