Garlic market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. fresh garlic market volume fluctuated considerably between 2018 and 2023, starting at 347.5 thousand tons before a sharp contraction to 266.7 thousand tons in 2019. After a period of relative stability, consumption rebounded to 324.2 thousand tons in 2022, only to decline again to 285.0 thousand tons in 2023. A similar pattern was observed in market value, which fell from $1.49 billion to $1.07 billion in 2019, recovered to $1.46 billion by 2022, and then decreased to $1.26 billion.

Market movements were influenced by structural and regulatory factors. High labor costs in California, the dominant domestic production region, pressured local growers and contributed to the production decline observed in 2023. The market's substantial import dependency continued under the influence of long-standing anti-dumping duties on fresh garlic from China, which shaped trade flows. Concurrently, consumer demand evolved, with growing preference for organic garlic and value-added, convenient formats supporting market activity. Further environmental and policy factors emerged in 2024, including water scarcity impacting California's crop size and new legislative proposals seeking to ban garlic imports from China, underscoring the market's exposure to climate and trade dynamics.

Production garlic in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 9th 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 the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 161.3 thousand tons, down 7.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 30.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 11.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 260.3 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 33.3% decline. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports garlic from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Garlic exports from the United States rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 3.4 thousand tons, up 9.7% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.2%, with an average annual decline of 13.4%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 3.0 thousand tons, which saw the largest drop of 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in volume terms was dominated by Canada and Mexico, which together made up 80.4% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

U.S. garlic exports in value terms increased for the second straight year. In 2020, exports amounted to 17.8 million U.S. dollars, a solid 13.3% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports fell by 12.5%, averaging a 4.4% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2018 at 15.5 million U.S. dollars, with the steepest drop that year at 23.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the primary buyer of U.S. garlic in value terms, accounting for 70.5% of total exports, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports garlic to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports into the United States grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports hit 101.6 thousand tons, a 5.7% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, the main sources for U.S. garlic imports in volume were China (59.6%), Spain (16.6%), and Mexico (12.2%), together representing 88.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

U.S. garlic imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 235.0 million U.S. dollars, a strong 17.6% jump from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.7%, averaging a 1.9% annual increase. The lowest value was in 2018 at 163.4 million U.S. dollars, which saw the largest decline of 26.5%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (55.7%), Spain (22.6%), and Mexico (8.9%) led the country structure of U.S. garlic imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 87.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020