China: Heng Feng 2012 garlic season commences
Size:
There is little produce over 6.0cm available. 4.0-5.0cm accounts for more than 40% of the crop; 5.0-5.5cm garlic around 30%, 5.5-6.0cm accounts for 20%.
Quantity:
A reduction in yield of around 25% is expected, though in some areas with poor soil, this may reach 35%.
Quality:
The quality is little worse from main garlic production areas like Jinxiang, but it's better for quality and quantity than that from other, newer cultivations nearby.
Price:
Vendors and manufactures started collecting garlic very early this year, even when the garlic was still wet. The fresh garlic price has been rising, and is already more expensive than the old crop. As it dries it should continue to rise.
This is making it difficult to collect stock as farmers are withholding their produce to see how high the prices will go and exporters are cautious about what they offer.
This should be a special year for garlic, with a high cargo value and unstable market. Some garlic has already been collected but still needs to dry for about 10 days. A stable price can be offered from the beginning of June.
For more information:
Vivien
Hengfeng Fresh Produce Co., Ltd
Tel: +86 530 8275988
Mob: +86 182 540 55579
Fax: +86 530 8191288
[email protected]
www.hengfengfresh.com