It is not a good period for the garlic sector, as the market is not very lively and sales are from the 2013 produce sold at low prices. "We are approaching a new campaign, but perspectives are not very good," explains Antonio Tuccillo from Agrimpex Farming.
"There are factors that will affect the situation further - Spanish stocks from previous years are still substantial and production areas have not been reduced as we had hoped."
The main producer in Europe is still Spain which, despite the increasing exports towards extra-European countries, has not been able to manage the ratio between quantities produced and those actually demanded by the market. Tuccillo also explains that prices are influenced by the lack of smaller grades on the market.
"We should have reduced volumes sowed, but we didn't, so now all we can do is hope that quality is good, weather favours ageing and that production costs remain low."
In addition, last year there was no influence from countries that usually produce garlic. "With their high prices, South America managed to meet the needs of the area exporting to the US and only sent small quantities to Europe. Demand for Chinese garlic is increasingly lower in Europe and during some periods prices were even higher than European ones."
Finally, the Egyptian fresh garlic season is starting with higher prices but with delayed shipments due to the cold weather of the past ten days.
Contacts:
Antonio Tuccillo
Agrimpex Farming Srl
S.P. Caivano - Cancello
Contrada Sannereto
80011 Acerra (Napoli)
Tel.: (+39) 081 3195185
Fax.: (+39) 081 5207510
Cell.: (+39) 335 7746265
Email1: import@agrimpexfarming.it
Email2: agrimpexfarming@pec.it
Web: www.agrimpexfarming.it