Garlic market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The Thai fresh garlic market volume showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. It peaked at 176.5 thousand tons in 2019 before entering a downward phase, hitting a low of 97.6 thousand tons in 2022. A partial recovery to 121.8 thousand tons occurred in 2023. Over the same period, domestic production fell steadily from 91.0 thousand tons to 59.3 thousand tons, while imports fluctuated sharply.

The market expansion in 2019 was driven by a surge in imports, which offset a decline in domestic output. Subsequently, in 2020 and 2021, both production and imports contracted, leading to a significant reduction in total market volume.

In 2022, the market shrank further to 97.6 thousand tons, as imports remained low and production continued to fall. The following year saw a rebound to 121.8 thousand tons, coinciding with a 2.66% increase in global trade value for fresh and dried garlic. Additionally, the Thai government implemented strict import quotas for dried garlic in 2023, which influenced trade flows and market dynamics.

Production garlic in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand ranked as the 18th largest garlic producer in the world.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Thailand declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 76 839 tonnes of garlic, marking a moderate decrease of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 90 982 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 31.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports garlic from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 5 tonnes, then surged to a high of 1 069 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 22,986.7% increase year-over-year. This resulted in a 231-fold variation between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 98.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Thailand's garlic exports in volume were Asia, not elsewhere specified, and Malaysia, which together accounted for 85.3% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility in these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 36 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 2 177 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 5,982.8% compared to the previous year. This created a 61-fold gap between the two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 91.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key destinations for Thailand's garlic exports in value terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (62.1% of export value), Malaysia (11.3%), and South Africa (6.0%). Together, these three markets accounted for 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports garlic to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their minimum in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 92 420 tonnes, before declining to 78 908 tonnes in 2020, a drop of 14.6% compared to 2019. This resulted in a 2.2-fold variation between the highest and lowest years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 79.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and India were the main sources for Thailand's garlic imports in volume, together making up 68.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Thailand's garlic imports declined. In 2020, import value stood at 41 958 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual decrease of 9.1% compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 46.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 46 152 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 39.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core markets for Thailand's garlic imports in value terms were China (67.3% of import value), India (2.5%), and Myanmar (0.9%). Collectively, these three countries represented 70.8% of total import flows.

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

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