Garlic market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Garlic production in Southern Asia began a significant expansion phase in 2018, supported by local business investments to establish five new processing facilities in Ratlam, which enhanced production capacity. This contributed to production surging from 2 274 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3 585 thousand tonnes in 2019, with the market volume growing from 2 415 to 3 729 thousand tonnes. The industry continued to expand in 2021 with the acquisition of land for additional garlic processing units, further boosting output to 3 953 thousand tonnes.

Market growth was sustained by rising health awareness and demand for convenience foods. In 2022, ample production led to price fluctuations, but the underlying consumption trend remained strong. The following year, major producers launched new organic garlic lines, and strategic partnerships like that between GarliTech and AgroTech aimed at developing innovative processing technologies, helping production reach 4 114 thousand tonnes and market volume 4 296 thousand tonnes by 2023.

By 2024, global supply constraints emerged as a key factor. Weather disruptions in China reduced output, while regulatory changes such as the U.S. SEWAGE GARLIC Imports Act restricting Chinese garlic created new export opportunities. This shift in global trade dynamics supported strong export demand from the region, reflected in import volumes rising to 325 thousand tonnes.

Production garlic in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Southern Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 631 thousand tonnes of garlic, marking a slight uptick of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 57.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 16.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 274 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 1.6%. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 57.6%.

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

Exports garlic from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The garlic export market from Southern Asia showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 21.7%. They then peaked in 2019 at 28.0 thousand tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 1 159.6%. In 2020, exports fell to 24.7 thousand tonnes, down by 11.6% from 2019. The gap between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with exports in 2019 being 12.6 times higher than in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of garlic from Southern Asia were Iraq, Russia, and Syria. Iraq accounted for 37.3% of exports in kind, Russia for 21.8%, and Syria for 3.0%. Together, these three countries made up 62.1% of total garlic exports from the region during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for garlic from Southern Asia exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 47.9%. Exports then surged to their highest point in 2019 at 32.8 million US dollars, marking an increase of 1 366.3%. In 2020, export values dropped to 18.7 million US dollars, a steep decrease of 43.0% compared to 2019. The gap between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was significant, with 2019 values being 14.7 times higher than in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for garlic exports from Southern Asia in value terms were Iraq, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Iraq represented 31.3% of exports in value, Russia accounted for 20.5%, and the United Kingdom made up 3.5%. Collectively, these three countries contributed 55.3% of total export flows during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports garlic to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports into Southern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 247.6 thousand tonnes, up by 44.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 91.9%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 24.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic imports into Southern Asia were highly concentrated, with China being the primary source. China supplied 91.7% of total imports in kind during these years.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of garlic imports into Southern Asia has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 214.8 million US dollars, representing an increase of 24.1% from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, import values increased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 124.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 35.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when import values rose by 38.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, garlic imports into Southern Asia in value terms were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 90.7% of total import flows during this period.

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

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