Garlic supply is a tale of two hemispheres right now. “Supply was variable from the Northern Hemisphere with Spain and China having less yield and quality compared to normal years and California is also down in supply,” says Jim Provost of I Love Produce. “However, good yields and quality garlic are coming out of the Southern Hemisphere, including from Argentina and Peru.”
Good yields and quality garlic are coming out of the Southern Hemisphere says Provost.
Provost says overall there is less supply compared to last year because of the two main garlic exporting countries--Spain and China--having lower production years.
Right now, storage garlic is coming out of California and China and new crop arrivals are coming from Argentina and just hitting the market now. “The timing for the recent Southern Hemisphere harvests is on track and normal. The next harvests are a long way off and remain to be seen,” he says.
The team from I Love Produce.
Stronger garlic pricing currently
As for demand, the holidays right through New Year’s should keep the garlic market active and strong. “High prices might slow down demand after that though so it won’t be surprising to see some softening in January,” says Provost. Right now, those prices--which are higher than last year at this time--are due to the major weather damage to garlic in Spain and China during harvest and the impact of their lack of supply on the market. Unpredictable weather, including El Nino this year, has been a challenge for garlic growers and shippers (as well as for the producers of many other commodities).
The company is sponsoring a foosball tournament in Argentina featuring events for youth and wheelchair and sight-impaired players.
As for I Love Produce, together with its Argentinian garlic partners, it’s sponsoring a foosball tournament in Argentina. It will feature events for youth, wheelchair players, sight-impaired players and more.
For more information:
Jim Provost
I Love Produce
Tel: +1 (610) 869-4664
jim@iloveproduce.com
www.iloveproduce.com