Spain's National Association of Garlic Producers and Traders (ANPCA) has held its Assembly, in which it has analysed the situation of the crop and its marketing.
In terms of production, the ANPCA has highlighted the current good situation in the fields, highlighting the expansion of the acreage in the main producing regions, with very good prospects for current and future productions that could only be altered by the adverse climatic conditions of recent days.
Regarding the marketing, the ANPCA expects a good campaign, especially in foreign markets, with the recovery of international operators last season that had been lost previously. At present, given the current shortage in the market, many are looking forward to the next harvest so that the existing demand, both in the national and international markets, can be covered.
At the same time, and still regarding the marketing, the ANPCA has always opted for a global vision of the market, without it being determined by localisms that promote only a specific product; however, betting on a clear identification for Spanish garlic within the markets is a successful strategy for the development of the national sector and the organization thus laments the few promotional activities carried out for this type of brand.
The Spanish export of garlic in 2016 reached 162,622 tonnes, 9% more than in 2015, worth 375.5 million Euro (+55%). The largest quantities were exported in the period from June to October, with 22,316 tonnes in June (32% more than in the same month of 2015) and 28,062 tonnes in July (+37%). The annual growth achieved in 2016 has been due to the increase in shipments in this period, since in the other months there have been decreases compared to the same months of 2015, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, collected by FEPEX.
Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia and the Region of Valencia are the regions exporting the most garlic. Castile-La Mancha's shipments in 2016 amounted to 62,898 tonnes; 8% more than in 2015. Andalusia's totalled 45,981 tonnes (+19%) and the Region of Valencia exported 33,055 tonnes (-4%).
The Spanish export of garlic has experienced a strong growth in the last ten years, going from 51,148 tonnes in 2007 to 162,622 in 2016; a 218% increase. The value has gone from 96.4 million Euro in 2007 to 375.5 million Euro last year; up 289%.
The assembly of the National Association of Garlic Producers and Traders took place on 18 May in Montilla, Cordoba, and represented more than 1,850 producers and the 58 most important companies involved in garlic marketing in Spain, which together account for approximately 77% of the total marketed production.
Source: fepex.es
