Garlic market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic volume of the fresh garlic market in Spain contracted from 125.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 87.6 thousand tons by 2020. A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, lifting the market to 148.8 thousand tons, before it retreated to 129.2 thousand tons in 2022 and then fell drastically to 54.4 thousand tons in 2023.

The severe drop in 2023 was influenced by international shipping lines rerouting away from the Red Sea, which disrupted garlic imports from Asia and tightened supply. At the same time, growing consumer preference for convenient, long-lasting dehydrated garlic products shifted part of the demand away from the fresh segment.

In 2024, imports rose to 16.7 thousand tons while exports declined to 141.6 thousand tons. This period saw a 14% reduction in the garlic cultivation area, particularly for purple garlic, putting pressure on domestic output. Concurrently, the national producers' association pushed for EU clarification on customs codes to block fresh garlic imports misclassified as frozen, aiming to protect the market from tariff-evading competition.

Production garlic in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Spain ranked as the 6th largest producer of garlic between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 269.1 thousand tons of garlic, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to the previous year.

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

Exports garlic from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Garlic exports from Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 189.2 thousand tons of garlic, indicating a gain of 2.9% versus 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 151.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 8.9%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spanish garlic was supplied to numerous markets, with even the largest destinations—Germany, Italy, and France—accounting for only 31.9% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of garlic exports from Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported garlic worth 477.9 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 35.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values rose by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 278.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 21.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, garlic exports from Spain in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The top three destinations—Germany (15.5% of export value), the United States (11.9%), and France (11.5%)—together captured only 38.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for garlic in Spain exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 35.0%. By 2020, imports had risen to 7.7 thousand tons, up by 70.3% compared to 2019, representing a 2.6-fold increase from the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (24.8% of import volume), France (21.6%), and Portugal (9.7%) stood out as the main sources for garlic imports into Spain, together representing 56.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of garlic imports into Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported garlic worth 14.1 million US dollars, showing an abrupt advance of 53.2% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 43%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 61.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France (30.9% of import value), China (15.3%), and Portugal (11.7%) formed the core of garlic imports into Spain in value terms, together accounting for 57.9% of total flows.

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

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