“It was such a cold spring and the plants aren’t the size they normally are. I think we’re going to have 30 to 40 percent less than last year,” says Nathan Teetzel of G & L Farms in Thedford, Ont.
The Ontario garlic season, which generally runs from August to December (possibly into February if supplies last) will likely begin harvest in the second or third week in July.
The lower supply of the garlic puts pressure on a product that’s generally pushed upwards in demand. “There’s a big demand for Ontario garlic and that started already about 10 years ago,” says Teetzel, adding that the ‘eat local’ movement largely fuelled this push. “People are planting more and more but the demand far outstrips the supply. It could be another 10 years before we catch up if the trend continues.”
Unique variety
While Ontario carries a number of garlic varieties, one of the most popular is the Music variety. “It’s very distinctive because it has four to five cloves which make it easy to clean,” says Teetzel. “It seems to have more oil content to it too.” Part of the reason that catch up in demand may not happen for another decade is the nature of growing garlic. “Garlic is a crop that you don’t just go in and do 1,000 acres. You have to use the actual garlic to multiply your stock and grow your production area,” says Teetzel. “So even established growers are increasing in acreage. But it’s not like they double in size in one year. They may go up 25 to 30 percent.” Newer growers to the marketplace also tend to start small he adds, starting with maybe five acres only.
Garlic is also a labor-intensive crop. “When you look at garlic in a store, you don’t realize how much work goes into it. That bulb is so white because every skin has been peeled off by hand,” says Teetzel. “Every bulb is touched multiple times by hands. People think garlic is expensive and there’s a reason why.”
With pricing, Teetzel notes that prices have been moderate to high for the past three years and says he anticipates a season of stable pricing.
For more information:
Nathan TeetzelG & L Farms
Tel: +1 (519) 296-4461
teetzelfarm@gmail.com
www.gandlfarms.com