"It is important to have garlic as early as possible"

Currently, the Planasa research program is mainly focused on the search for a white spring garlic variety, what we could call "white Chinese", aiming to meet the market demands. "The project is already at a very advanced stage, and we hope for it to become available shortly," says Manuel Garcés, Garlic and Asparagus Product Manager at Planasa. "We've had a well-resourced R&D program to search for new varieties in place for several years. Also, after the acquisition just a year ago of our facilities in Milagro, Navarra, a lot of money has been invested in modernising and improving the garlic meristem process. As a result, the seed's health is even more guaranteed."

According to the specialist, the demand for white garlic from producers is due, among other factors, to commercial interests. "Spanish garlic producers are increasingly looking for precocity. It is very important to have a variety that is ready as early as possible, before the old stocks end, to ensure sales for the rest of the new garlic campaign," he explains.

The current boom in the search for extra early garlic varieties in the Brazilian market also has some impact. According to Manuel Garcés, "Brazil is a market in which Spanish garlic exporters have been working for a long time and which had seen a decline in recent years, but now it is recovering and consolidating. It is a market that demands early garlic until the arrival of the Chinese production. Therefore, Spanish exporters can be much more competitive if they are able to supply white spring garlic."

At the same time, the purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras continues to be increasingly appreciated outside of Spain thanks to its intense flavour and long shelf life. In fact, interesting commercial lines have been opening up in recent years in destinations as far away as the United States or Australia. "Anyone who tastes purple garlic likes it. Although it is not as productive as spring garlic, it is more resistant to diseases and its shelf life in chambers can be extended to more than a year. For that reason, and also because of its high quality, it is increasingly appreciated in the markets - it reaches remarkably higher prices," says Manuel Garcés. "We are already consolidated with this type of garlic, and that is why we are focusing on the search for a white spring variety in order to complete the range," he says.

The global garlic market is clearly dominated by China, and in Europe, talking about garlic entails talking about Spain. Planasa distributes its seeds in the main Spanish production areas, such as Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia and Castile-Leon. Outside the country's borders, they distribute seeds in Italy, France and other countries in central-northern Europe.

As for the current Spanish garlic campaign, Garcés explains that it has been affected by climatic adversities in the main growing areas.

"In La Mancha, more than 8,000 hectares of garlic have been hit by heavy rains, following a cooler spring than usual. In addition to the volumes that have been lost, a share of the garlic is suffering quality problems due to excess moisture. Hopefully, this won't have a direct impact on sales."

Planasa continues to bet on garlic cultivation, despite the fact that its name is linked to berries. "It is an important product for us and it will continue to be so in the future. In the next few years, we hope to maintain our market share and keep growing if possible. The next step will be to expand in producing countries outside Europe," concludes Manuel Garcés.