Garlic market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh garlic market in Western Asia began the period with ongoing development in production regions such as Morocco, where modern farming techniques and support from state-owned agricultural companies aimed to modernize the sector. A major shift occurred in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and altered consumer behavior, significantly boosting demand for fresh garlic as a perceived health food. This drove the physical market volume up by over 30% to 372.5 thousand tonnes that year.

Following the pandemic peak, market volume retreated to 330.4 thousand tonnes in 2021 despite rising health awareness and the emergence of new product segments like fermented black garlic. By 2023, changes in export and import policies in several Western Asian countries restricted the flow of garlic, contributing to a further contraction in market volume to 293.5 thousand tonnes. During this phase, the market also saw the entry of new players into processed garlic products, such as fresh garlic paste in Saudi Arabia, indicating diversification within the industry.

Production garlic in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Garlic production in Western Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 137.8 K t of garlic, which represents a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 146.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 5.2%.

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

Exports garlic from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for garlic from Western Asia showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 4.7 K t, but then surged dramatically in 2019 to reach a peak of 29.4 K t, marking an impressive increase of 523.9%. This created a 6.2-fold difference between the high and low points from 2018 to 2019. By 2020, exports had fallen to 13.3 K t, representing a year-on-year decline of 54.6%.

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

An analysis of garlic exports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a widely distributed market structure. The top three destinations—India with 3.1% of exports, Iran with 3.0%, and South Sudan with 2.7%—collectively accounted for just 8.8% of total flows. The remaining 91.2% was spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Garlic exports from Western Asia in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 49.9 M $ US, showing a substantial rise of 21.9% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 204.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 45.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure for garlic from Western Asia was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. The leading partners—Iran with 5.4% of export value, South Sudan with 3.2%, and Russia with 2.8%—together made up 11.3% of total flows. The vast majority, 88.7%, was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports garlic to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Garlic imports into Western Asia have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 248.1 K t, a sharp increase of 42.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 45%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 128.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 24.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the volume-based import structure for garlic in Western Asia was dominated by China, which accounted for 82.8% of total imports. The remainder was shared among a large number of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Garlic imports into Western Asia in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 262.7 M $ US, reflecting a year-on-year gain of 32.4%. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 9.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 125.1 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 48.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant increase, with imports jumping by 58.6%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, garlic imports into Western Asia in value terms were heavily concentrated on China, which represented 82.5% of total flows. All other countries combined accounted for the remaining 17.5%.

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

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