Spain is the world’s second largest producer and exporter of garlic. “For that reason, we selected Spain as a sourcing country when we expanded our product offering with garlic earlier this year,” says Aaron Quon with Oppy. “The country’s reputation for consistently producing high-quality garlic further solidified its selection as a sourcing hub.”
Garlic from Spain is available year-round. The season begins with the Spring White variety in mid-May and concludes in July with the Morado variety. While Spain has several garlic growing regions, Oppy mainly sources from the region of Castilla-La Mancha, boasting a rich history of garlic production. In addition to Spain’s main garlic growing region, similar growing conditions can be found in other regions of southern Spain. “The country’s strategic approach involves storing garlic to ensure a consistent supply throughout the year while having a 2–3-month harvest window.”
The first part of the Spanish garlic season was impacted by drought, followed by persistent rains during harvest in May and June. “The unusual rainfall affected the Spring White garlic variety, but the Spring Violet and Morado varieties were not impacted,” said Quon. While yields are reduced this season, Quon still expects the overall supply to be favorable.
Outside Spain, Oppy is actively exploring opportunities to expand its supply network by collaborating with other countries. This expansion aims to introduce new garlic varieties to the market while complementing existing programs.
Garlic marketed by Oppy is currently available in Canadian club stores as the company is looking to expand into the US in the future. “We offer various packaging options to cater to the diverse needs of our customers. The most in-demand packaging option is the 1 kg (2.2 lb.) mesh bag. Additionally, we provide alternatives such as 1 lb. mesh bags, 3/4/5 count bags, clamshells, and various bulk packaging solutions. The demand for garlic this summer has been excellent,” finished Quon.
For more information:
Kelsey Van Lissum
Oppy
Tel.: +1 (604) 461-6779
[email protected]
www.oppy.com