Global shortages aren't letting up as Argentina begins shipping new crop garlic. Short supply in major production areas around the world led to a jump in price late last year, and with demand expected to rise slightly next week, prices could go higher.
“Garlic is stronger than it has been normally because California and China had a shorter than normal crop and Argentina had some poor weather conditions during harvest due to El Nino,” Jim Provost of I Love Produce shared. “These factors are causing a short supply on garlic and a higher than normal price for this time of year.”
Although focusing primarily on the North American market, I Love Produce has felt the crunch caused by international circumstances. Demand has been steady for the company, but the short supply means a steady demand has put increased pressure on an already strained market.
Provost doesn’t see much relief in the next six weeks, in part because of Argentina’s short supply. In addition, China, the largest producer of garlic in the world, will be shutting down for about two weeks during Chinese New Year, when a slight increase in demand normally takes place.
