Garlic market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh garlic market in South America expanded in volume, reaching 596 thousand tons in 2020, before contracting in 2021. The initial growth coincided with Peru's dynamic healthy food policy, which encouraged consumption of fresh produce like garlic. Meanwhile, Argentina implemented mandatory packing and labeling rules for export garlic in the 2019/2020 season, standardizing quality for international trade.

Regulatory harmonization within Mercosur played a key role in shaping the market. In 2021, Argentina and other bloc members updated quality and identity standards for garlic, incorporating technological advances and improved conservation practices. This was further reinforced in 2022 by Argentina's updated Quality and Identity Regulation, which aligned classification standards across Mercosur to facilitate intra-regional trade. Concurrently, Brazil introduced new front-of-pack nutrition labeling rules in October 2022, requiring warnings for foods high in sugars, fats, and sodium, which may have influenced consumer choices toward fresh garlic.

Market volume fluctuated in subsequent years, influenced by trade dynamics and phytosanitary conditions. Peruvian garlic performed well in 2023, benefiting from reduced quality and quantity of Chinese garlic in key markets like the United States. However, overall South American market volume dipped to 523 thousand tons in 2023. Looking ahead, Argentina improved phytosanitary conditions for exporting fresh garlic to Mexico in 2024, simplifying procedures and reducing costs for producers.

Production garlic in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

In 2020, South America produced 447.2 thousand tons of garlic, marking a 9.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Garlic production in South America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 792.6 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 22.7% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 604.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 25.9%.

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

Exports garlic from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America exported 132.5 thousand tons of garlic, showing a substantial 22.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 108.0 thousand tons, when exports declined by 8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of garlic from South America were Mexico, accounting for 13.4% of exports in kind; Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 6.8%; and the United States, at 6.7%. Together, these three markets made up 27.0% of total exports in kind, while the remaining 73.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Garlic exports from South America increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 234.8 million US dollars, a 37.2% jump from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 169.9 million US dollars, when exports fell by 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market in value terms was diverse, with Mexico contributing 15.8% of exports, the United States 7.0%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, 3.6%. Combined, these three accounted for 26.4% of total export value, while the remaining 73.6% was shared by many other countries.

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

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

Imports garlic to South America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America imported 281.3 thousand tons of garlic, representing a 26.9% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.3%, with an average annual rate of 7.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 221.7 thousand tons, when imports decreased by 1.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary suppliers of garlic to South America were China, with 55.5% of imports in kind; Spain, at 6.8%; and Egypt, with 0.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into South America rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 363.7 million US dollars, a 21.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 230.9 million US dollars, when imports dropped by 35.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 29.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—China, Spain, and Egypt—collectively accounted for 52.4% of total garlic imports in value terms to South America.

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

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