Domestic garlic production is not at its best. Meanwhile imports are soaring. In 2016, the purchase of this product abroad increased by 142.5% compared to 2015, from US $8.0 million to US $19.4 million, a relative increase of US $11.4 million.
The country imported 5,894.9 metric tons of fresh and crushed garlic in 2015 and 9,522.3 tons in 2016, i.e. 61.5% or 3,627.4 tons more.
Most of the garlic imported last year was fresh (87%). In 2015 imports of fresh garlic accounted for 69% of the total. During 2016, fresh garlic increased by 3,541.4 metric tons (74%), as it went from 4,790 metric tons to 8,331.4 metric tons.
The garlic harvest area in the Dominican Republic also decreased from 2015 to 2016 (-43%). In 2015 producers harvested a little more than 621 hectares; last year they harvested 438 hectares, that is, 183 fewer hectares.
Garlic production decreased by 42%, from 74,050 quintals in 2015 to 52,205 in 2016, i.e. a net reduction of 21,845 quintals. However, the performance of the quintals per hectare increased by 0.9%, as in 2015 it was 7.41% and in 2016 it increased to 7.48%.
Source: eldinero.com.do