Spain: Garlic looks good after drop in Chinese production

Spanish garlic producers start this year's commerce campaign with optimism after the news from China - the world leader in this cultivation and setter of the international quotations is estimating the present harvest to be 30% to 40% smaller.

According to indications to Efe by sector sources, the smaller Chinese production is a possible sign of price rises for garlic this year, as the production amount expected is similar to the one in 2011, therefore compensating from the consumption drop seen in the markets in the last while.

The harvest area for this is between 10% to 15% more than in the last campaign, according to producers, but the cold and the drought caused losses in cultivations of about the same percentages.

The president of the National Association of Producers and Merchants of Garlic (Anpca), Antonio Escudero, pointed to the expectations of a production amount around 100,000 tons, from which, more than half is in Castilla-La Mancha. The other half is divided by Andalucía, Castilla/Leon and Madrid.

The drought also caused the harvest of purple and white garlic to be delayed for a week regarding other campaigns, while the harvest of the early variety is almost finished and was made under optimal weather conditions.

Source: ABC