China: Cultivation area for garlic grew more than 20% in 2017

Since last year, the price for garlic has consistently remained high - for a time it even reached the critical point of 2.65 EUR (20 RMB) per kilogram. Currently, the markets and stores for new garlic in Yunnan province and other regions have put their old stock in cold storerooms. The price for old garlic has remained high. Big white garlic that usually goes for 1.06-1.33 EUR (8-10 RMB) a kilogram, is currently being sold for 2.65 EUR (20 RMB) a kilogram. Many people within the industry say that, although the market price for old garlic is still high, new garlic from the south has already hit the market where prices are rather low. This has already made an impact, so the current high prices are only a temporary phenomenon. A price reduction is imperative.

Statistical data on the cultivation area for garlic this year show that it has grown more than 20% compared to last year. For particular regions it even increased by more than 30%. The high prices allow garlic farmers to get enormous profit, which substantially increases their enthusiasm to expand their plantations even more. Not only the main producing provinces of Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu have increased their cultivation area, the plantations in Yunnan province have also grown by approximately 30%. In some smaller regions the expansion is even more obvious.