The retail price of Yunnan garlic recently increased to 6 yuan [0.86 uSD] per 0.5 kg. The main reason for the high price is because new garlic has not yet entered the market. Yunnan is ahead of the other garlic production areas, which gives them a natural advantage. Based on price patterns in previous years the price of Yunnan garlic is likely to drop to 4-5 yuan [0.57-0.71 USD] per 0.5 kg in half a month, and even further to 2-3 yuan [0.29-0.43 USD] per 0.5 kg in a month.
However, this year the retail price is somewhat higher than the retail price of 4-5 yuan [0.57-0.71 USD] in 2019. This is the result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Garlic has disinfecting qualities, so market demand is naturally high at the moment. Many people eat more garlic on purpose. This of course pushes the price up.
The peak of the garlic harvest takes place every year in May and June. The price is not likely to decline below the level of 2019, but will probably remain above 2 yuan [0.29 USD]. Chinese garlic export is also growing. Overseas markets have a garlic shortage, which is another reason the price is high.
The export volume has been growing since early 2018 and continued this trend in 2019. The export volume is expected to continue this development in 2020. Garlic farmers are looking forward to a growing income this year. Furthermore, domestic market demand is growing, which will likely stimulate the garlic industry and result in a larger production volume. The price is unlikely to do worse than in previous years.
Source: Jinri toutiao