Garlic market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the introduction of an anti-dumping levy on fresh garlic from China by South African authorities aimed to protect domestic growers from low-priced imports. This measure contributed to a reduction in import volumes and supported local production, helping to maintain the total market volume at a stable level of around 427 to 429 thousand tons.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted supply chains in 2020 and 2021. Factory closures in China, logistical delays at South African ports due to lockdowns, and a weaker local currency increased import costs and constrained availability. Coupled with an earlier local harvest, these factors led to a significant drop in domestic production to 255 thousand tons in 2021 and a contraction of the total market volume to 351 thousand tons. During this period, consumer preference also shifted toward fresh, locally sourced garlic due to health and quality concerns.

A recovery began in 2022, with production rising to 296 thousand tons and the market volume expanding to 397 thousand tons, supported by sustained consumer demand linked to health trends and ongoing efforts by local growers to improve cultivation. However, the market volume eased to 381 thousand tons in 2023, coinciding with a decrease in both imports and production.

Production garlic in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, garlic production in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 294.6 thousand tons of garlic, which represents a 17.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 24.4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 358.1 thousand tons, while the most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 49.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports garlic from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Garlic exports from Sub-Saharan Africa showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018, with exports in 2018 being 2.5 times higher than in 2017. In 2020, exports reached 1 949 tons, marking a moderate increase of 9.9% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 417 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 26.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a surge of 150.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan, the Netherlands, and France were the key export partners for Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of volume. Sudan accounted for 8.8% of exports, the Netherlands for 1.2%, and France for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented 11.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of garlic exports from Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 3 508 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable increase of 18.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, export value decreased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 970 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan, the Netherlands, and France remained the primary destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's garlic exports in value terms. Sudan accounted for 6.8% of export value, the Netherlands for 3.7%, and France for 3.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 13.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports garlic to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported approximately 93 355 tons of garlic, reflecting a sharp increase of 29.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 72 253 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7% during that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Sub-Saharan Africa's garlic imports in volume, accounting for 75.9% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of garlic imports into Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 66 733 thousand US dollars, showing a steep year-over-year increase of 39.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 34.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 47 723 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China held a dominant position in Sub-Saharan Africa's garlic imports in value terms, accounting for 72.7% of total flows. The remaining share was divided among various smaller destinations.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020