Spain's Mesa Nacional del Ajo (National Garlic Bureau) believes China is having profitability issues with its garlic, and for this reason Spanish garlic is gaining ground in EU markets. Spain produced 175,000 tonnes on a total of 17,000 hectares.
The garlic sector is enjoying a quiet campaign this year, with prices on the rise and profitability improving, as pointed out by the president of the Mesa Nacional del Ajo, Julio Bacete.
Bacete outlined the national and international sector's situation, in terms of both prices and markets, in a report presented at a regular assembly meeting held in Jaen.
He noted that "this year we are enjoying a quiet campaign, with the price situation on the mend, stocks being sold out and garlic cultivation becoming profitable."
Regarding competition with Chinese garlic, he stated that "what we have to do is promote the consumption of our products, even though this year the threat of Chinese garlic has not been as great, since we believe their production has been smaller than in other years and perhaps not as profitable because of the prices they were getting."
The Mesa Nacional del Ajo was created in 2008 with the main objective of protecting, defending and promoting all garlic varieties produced in Spain.
Jaen, where the assembly was held, has about 500 hectares of crops which yield 5,000 tonnes.
