The Spanish companies producing and selling garlic have very small volumes in their storage chambers at the moment. "There is very little garlic available for sale, as most companies are saving what little they have left to complete the programs they already have with their customers," explains an exporter of Spanish onions and garlic.
The first Spanish garlic harvest is expected in early May in Andalusia, and the first exports will take place between the end of May and the beginning of June.
Early onions arrive earlier and clash with old stocks
The first Spanish Spring and Babosa onions, harvested in Andalusia and Valencia, have arrived earlier this year and are already available in the domestic market, at a time when there are still enough stocks of onion for storage. "As long as there are good quality onions in chambers, exporters are not going to opt for early onions, which are softer and have less skin," comments the exporter.
Onions for storage are now becoming more expensive after a campaign with low prices, compared to last season's successful campaign. The harvest has been better in terms of volume this year, as the acreage has expanded and there has been a lack of demand from third countries, such as Brazil.