Garlic market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The garlic market in SADC expanded from 40 538 t in 2018 to 48 409 t in 2023. In the early years, the anti-dumping duty of R19.25/kg on fresh garlic imports from China, maintained by South Africa, continued to shape trade flows by limiting low-cost Chinese supplies and encouraging imports from alternative sources. This coincided with a market increase to 41 494 t in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global logistics, causing shortages and doubled garlic prices, which contributed to a slight market contraction to 41 070 t.

Post-pandemic recovery saw the market surge to 44 515 t in 2021 and further to 47 518 t in 2022. A key driver was Egypt's rising fresh garlic exports, which entered international supply chains more aggressively, improving import availability for the region. By 2023, the market reached 48 409 t, with climate volatility increasingly recognized as a major production risk, influencing growing conditions and supply stability.

Production garlic in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC produced 21 936 tonnes of garlic, representing a slight increase of 2.9% over the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22 882 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 6.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 124.3%.

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

Exports garlic from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, differing by a factor of 7. In 2020, SADC's garlic export volume was recorded at 1 821 tonnes, which represents a substantial increase of 376.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 75.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 504.9%.

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

The analysis of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands, Kenya, and France accounted for 2.3%, 2.3%, and 1.9% of exports in kind, respectively, together representing only 6.4% of total flows. A significant 93.6% of exports went to other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Garlic deliveries from SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 2 924 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 26.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 2.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 219 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland led the structure of exports in value terms, accounting for 4.8%, 3.9%, and 1.9% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 10.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of garlic to SADC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported approximately 20 954 tonnes of garlic, marking a small advance of 1.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the key supplier of garlic to SADC, taking 78.2% of total imports in kind. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign garlic supplies to SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 23 121 thousand US dollars, representing a significant gain of 20.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 288 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Spain formed a dominant pair of markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.4% of total flows. Other countries represented the residual share.

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

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