Garlic market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In physical terms, the fresh garlic market in South-eastern Asia experienced volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume started at 1.24 million tons in 2018, dropped by 12% to 1.10 million tons in 2019, then recovered to 1.20 million tons in 2020. Over the next three years, volume stabilized around 1.18–1.21 million tons, with a modest 2.5% increase to 1.21 million tons in 2023.

In value terms, the market displayed consistent growth, rising from $1.20 billion in 2018 to $1.68 billion in 2023. The most notable surge occurred in 2023, when the market value jumped by 16% to $1.68 billion, outpacing the physical volume growth and indicating higher average prices.

By 2024, import volumes into the region rose to 1.23 million tons. In Indonesia, a major consumer, new national food reserve regulations were implemented, mandating strategic stockpiling of garlic and other staples to manage import dependencies and stabilize domestic supply.

Production garlic in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, garlic production in South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region produced 375.6 thousand tonnes of garlic, marking a moderate decrease of 3.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 389.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Garlic production in South-eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 606.0 million US dollars, representing a 10.7% rise from the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 513.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

Exports garlic from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, garlic exports from South-eastern Asia increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 16.4 thousand tonnes, showing a significant rise of 48.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic from South-eastern Asia was exported to a diverse range of markets. Even the largest destinations—the United States, Brazil, and Asia, not elsewhere specified—collectively accounted for only 14.6% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 26.4 million US dollars worth of garlic, which is 70.4% more than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 15.5 million US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 48.7%.

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

The export market in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad, with the United States (10.3% of exports), Asia, not elsewhere specified (5.7%), and Brazil (5.1%) together accounting for just 21.0% of total flows. The remaining 79.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports garlic to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, garlic imports into South-eastern Asia reached 838.2 thousand tonnes, up by 17.0% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 716.5 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 914.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic imports into South-eastern Asia were highly concentrated, with China accounting for 95.3% of total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into South-eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 847.1 million US dollars, which is 8.1% higher year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 707.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic imports into South-eastern Asia were primarily sourced from China, which absorbed 96.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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