After onions, the prices of garlic have jumped sharply over the last one month. This was due to the lower availability of last year’s crop. Data compiled by Nashik-based National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation (NHRDF) shows garlic prices have more than doubled in the last one month to trade currently at Rs 152.50 a kg in the Kolkata wholesale mandi.
In Bangaluru and Chennai, garlic prices have jumped by 43 percent and 54 percent to trade at Rs 92.50 a kg and Rs 170 a kg, respectively. Garlic in Rajgarh, one of the largest garlic trading mandi by arrivals, wholesale market is trading at Rs 80 a kg on Thursday which indicates 100 percent increase from its price of Rs 40 a kg a month ago.
“A very minimal quantity of last year’s low garlic output is left for sale this season. Its supply was reduced due to the unseasonal rainfalls in the last few weeks across the country. Since farmers are preparing to commence sowing for the ensuing winter season, there has been a huge demand for conventional sowing of garlic as seeds. Apart from that, the new crop arrivals are at least three months away. Since import opportunities are limited due to high prices in global markets, garlic prices in India have also jumped significantly in the last one month,” said Ajit Shah, President, Horticulture Export Association.
[ Rs100 = €1.28 ]
