The Spanish garlic campaign was excellent in 2016, among other reasons, because of the positive impact of the negative situation in China. It closed with 220,000 tonnes of garlic produced (+19% compared to 2015) in an area of about 21,000 hectares.
As regards exports, the total volume shipped to all destinations (EU and non-EU) in 2016 reached 162,623 tonnes, which is 8% more than in 2015, with an increase in the average price of 0.70 €/kg (2.30 € versus 1.70 €/kg), and a total value of exports of over € 375 million. The growth of exports has been most notable in countries outside the EU, such as South Africa, but especially in the case of Taiwan, which has gone from 930 tonnes in 2015 to 14,789 tonnes in 2016.
Exports to all EU countries in 2016 amounted to 98,631 tonnes, 2% less than in 2015, while the value increased by 28%, with the average price increasing from 1.70 €/kg in 2015 to 2.40 €/kg in 2016, and an export value of € 238 million. Usual export destinations in the EU, such as Italy, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria, imported a smaller volume than in 2015, but this was partially offset by growth in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, etc.
Meanwhile, imports of garlic in the EU amounted to 1,500 tonnes and their value was 31% greater than in 2015, reaching 110 M € and an increase of 0.60 €/kg in the average price per kilo, going from 1.40 €/kg in 2015 to 2.00 €/kg in 2016. There were increases in the imports from Egypt, Peru and Chile, while Argentina and China recorded lower volumes than in 2015.
Spain increased its imports by more than 2,000 tonnes (7,555 tonnes in 2016 compared to 5,243 tonnes in 2015), and the average price of these also grew, from 1.40 €/kg in 2015 to 1.70 €/kg in 2016. Most imports came from the EU (4,004 tonnes), mostly from France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (re-exports in the latter two cases). Non-EU countries supplied 3,500 tonnes, with Peru and Chile as prominent exporters. China remains the main supplier of the Spanish market (2,080 tonnes), along with France (2,000 tonnes).
Overall, Spanish imports of garlic from all origins increased by 37% in volume and by 65% in value, reaching 12.8 M €.
Source: Asaja Córdoba
