The garlic market is experiencing some difficulties this December, with “high prices and quality well below expectations,” according to Patrick Flin, head of Paris-Ail and Royal Saveurs. France and Spain have suffered from the weather, and China is experiencing a major production shortfall, in addition to logistical problems linked to the Red Sea bypass. Operators are therefore waiting for the arrival of Argentinian garlic, “which is expected around mid-January.”
France: disease and thermal shock at harvest time
“The stocks of French garlic are currently dwindling. A few months ago, the campaign looked promising, but the presence of waxy breakdown and weather issues at harvest time have contributed to a certain heterogeneity and a significant drop in volumes after major sorting gaps. “The stocks of pink and purple garlic are also almost finished,” due to sanitary problems, with “rather random quality throughout the campaign.”
Spain: nearly 30% less production
Spain has also been hit this year, with production down by nearly 30%. “Some Spanish operators have already finished the campaign, and others are about to finish, although they usually are present on the market until April.”
For more information:
Patrick Flin
Paris Ail
[email protected]