China: Prices for garlic substantially lower

In Jinxiang county (Shandong province), China's garlic hub, falling prices for garlic in the fields is obvious. A recent survey shows that, since the beginning of 2017, the price for garlic has dropped on two occasions. The first time was due to the so-called 'holiday effect', when buyers suddenly are buying according to demand and market transactions are not able to resume completely. The second time was when the new garlic entered the market.

The price for garlic in 2016 was continuously high. Data show that the harvested area for garlic all over the country in 2016 took up more than 313.333 hectares and has been expanded by 12.44%. Other forecasts show that plantations in 2017 will have a total area of 378.663 hectares. The area has grown by 20.85%. A bumper harvest is definetly on its way. In terms of the recent weather conditions, the air temperature will gradually warm up again which will be beneficial to good growth. If no extreme natural disasters occur, there will absolutely be a bumper harvest this year. In addition, based on the fall in garlic exports, the expansion of garlic plantations, and the fact that the current reserves of garlic are struggling to find buyers, and many other factors, the price for garlic will keep on decreasing for a certain time in the future.