China: Garlic market prospects worrisome

"Pizhou city of Jiangsu province is one of the main garlic producing areas in China, the listing of the garlic starts at the end of May or early June every year. Garlic prices rose again and again in 2016 due to shortages and speculation. Driven by high profits, the majority of garlic farmers expanded the planting areas, which led to an increase in garlic production in 2017, thereby pulling down the market price. I personally predict that garlic prices this year will fall by at least 50% compared to 2016," said Wantao Guo, the chairman of Pizhou Fangxin Garlic Cooperatives.

"Yunnan garlic has been quietly listed this month, which will cause a certain impact on the stock of garlic, but the impact is limited considering the current situation of the garlic market. The upcoming harvest season in Jiangsu is three months away but already there are worries that the market price will not exceed three yuan per kilo.

"Our company was established in February 2016 and we integrate modern planting and sales. We have our own workshop and a garlic planting base covering an area of 160 acres, with an annual output of 140 tons of garlic. We use an organic fertilizer and farmyard manure combination. At present, 30% of the produce is sold to the wholesale market and dealers under the brand of "Zhenpinyuan" by online retailer, another 70% are purchased by the buyers directly from our planting base. Currently, we are actively looking for long-term stable cooperation of electricity supplier partners and vegetable wholesalers, hoping to bring our quality garlic to more consumers."

Wantao Guo (Chairman)
Pizhou Fangxin Garlic Cooperatives
Tel: +86 18451555980