Garlic market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the garlic market in Southern Europe contracted to 194 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 208.4 thousand tons in 2020. This initial decline coincided with projected reductions in garlic planting areas in China, which tightened global fresh garlic supply. The subsequent recovery aligned with a 3.9% increase in worldwide garlic output, driven by strong demand for its diverse applications.

Market volume surged to 320.6 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by a ten-year high in Chinese exports of fresh and cold-stored garlic, which rose 28.4% year-on-year and increased availability in Europe. Simultaneously, exports from Southern Europe fell sharply, retaining more product within the region. The following year, drought in Italy—a key producing country—reduced local crop size and volume, contributing to a market decline to 242.3 thousand tons despite substantial carryover stocks of Chinese garlic in Europe that continued to pressure prices.

In 2023, the market contracted further to 171.4 thousand tons as production in Southern Europe dropped significantly. Persistent large volumes of cold-stored garlic from the previous Chinese harvest maintained downward pressure on the global market, while in Italy, prices remained below production costs even as productivity improved.

Production garlic in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Southern Europe rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 356.6 K t, representing a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 339.1 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Garlic production in Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of garlic output was 870.5 M $ US, a significant 34.3% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 13.5%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 619.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.2%.

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

Exports garlic from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Garlic exports from Southern Europe grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 215.3 K t, up 7.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 172.7 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic exports from Southern Europe showed a diversified geographic distribution. Germany accounted for 13.2% of export volumes, France for 8.9%, and Brazil for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.5% of total export flows, indicating a broad spread across multiple destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Garlic exports from Southern Europe continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 525.7 M $ US, a substantial 37.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 311.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 22.1%.

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

The geographic distribution of garlic export value from Southern Europe between 2017 and 2020 was highly dispersed. Germany accounted for 17.9% of export value, the United States for 10.8%, and France for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 39.3% of total flows, with the remaining 60.7% distributed across a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports garlic to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports to Southern Europe reached 67.1 K t in 2020, marking a solid 21.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 33.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, garlic imports to Southern Europe were spread across numerous countries. China accounted for 9.8% of import volumes, the Netherlands for 7.5%, and France for 4.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.5% of total import flows, reflecting a highly diversified sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports to Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 143.6 M $ US, a remarkable 57.6% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 33.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 89.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic import value to Southern Europe showed limited concentration. The Netherlands accounted for 8.7% of import value, France for 6.8%, and China for 6.5%. Together, these three countries captured only 22.0% of total import flows, indicating a broad distribution across multiple suppliers.

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

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