Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried/Dehydrated
Industry PositionFood Ingredient
Market
Pakistan has meaningful domestic garlic production, but official commodity monitoring notes that imports are still needed to meet domestic demand, especially during off-season periods. Dried garlic (dehydrated cloves/flakes/powder) is used as an ingredient by spice/seasoning manufacturers and food processors and is also sold in packaged retail formats. In international trade statistics, dried garlic is typically captured under HS 071290 (dried vegetables, n.e.s.), and Pakistan’s recorded exports under this code are small relative to inbound supply. Production and market availability patterns are reported to vary by province, with spring/early-summer domestic supply windows and import supplementation outside peak months.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and processing market (net importer)
Domestic RoleCulinary and industrial ingredient market supported by domestic garlic production but structurally supplemented by imports to meet demand.
SeasonalityDomestic garlic availability is reported to peak in spring/early summer with province-specific timing; import dependence increases during off-season periods.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Powdered dried garlic products in Pakistan emphasize moisture control to reduce caking in humid conditions; storage and packaging are positioned around keeping product free-flowing.
Compositional Metrics- Some local market offerings describe formulations that include a small anti-caking component for humidity resilience; additive presence and percentage are formulation- and label-dependent.
Packaging- For powdered spice products in Punjab, enforcement actions referenced a requirement for packed and labeled spices (including key label elements such as ingredients, weight, manufacturing/expiry dates, and company details) and cited restrictions on loose-spice sales.
- Packaged retail garlic powder is marketed in small consumer pack sizes (example: 50g SKU in Pakistan retail).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic garlic sourcing → cleaning/peeling → slicing → dehydration → milling (powder) or sizing (flakes/granules) → packaging → wholesale distribution and B2B ingredient supply
- Imported dried/dehydrated garlic → port/land border arrival → DPP import permit and inspection/treatment (as applicable) → customs/release order processing → wholesalers/manufacturers/retail distribution
Temperature- Ambient, dry storage is emphasized for dried garlic powders to avoid moisture uptake and caking; moisture-resistant sealing is commonly highlighted by suppliers targeting humid Pakistani cities.
Shelf Life- Shelf stability is a key value proposition versus fresh garlic, but humidity exposure can degrade flow properties and usability for powdered forms; packaging and handling focus on keeping product dry.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImporting dried garlic (as a plant product) into Pakistan can be blocked or significantly delayed if the shipment does not have a valid DPP import permit obtained prior to import and the required phytosanitary and trade documents needed for release order/clearance.Obtain a commodity- and origin-specific DPP import permit before shipment, align shipping documents (invoice/packing list/B/L or AWB/bill of entry) to the DPP checklist, and confirm any treatment requirements with the exporter and DPP/PSW workflow before dispatch.
Supply Balance MediumOfficial commodity monitoring reports that Pakistan needs garlic imports to meet domestic demand and highlights off-season periods with limited local supply; this can translate into price and availability volatility for dried garlic inputs when fresh supply tightens and imports increase.Plan procurement around province-specific domestic availability windows and diversify suppliers/origins to reduce exposure to a single-season or single-origin disruption.
Food Safety MediumFood authority enforcement in Punjab has reported adulteration and hygiene failures in spice manufacturing/grinding and referenced restrictions on loose spices; dried garlic sold as a powdered spice can face reputational and compliance risk if sourced from informal/loosely controlled grinding channels.Prefer packaged and labeled product from licensed manufacturers, require basic supplier QC/COA and packaging integrity checks, and avoid loose/unlabeled powdered spice channels for commercial use.
Documentation Gap LowHS 071290 is a broad trade category ('dried vegetables, n.e.s.') that can include dried garlic and other items; relying solely on HS-6 trade data can misstate true dried-garlic-only volumes and counterparties.Validate with national tariff-line splits (8–12 digit), importer/exporter product descriptions, and shipment documents to confirm that the traded item is dried garlic (flakes/powder) rather than another dried vegetable.
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used for dried garlic in international trade statistics for Pakistan analysis?Dried garlic is typically analyzed under HS 071290 (dried vegetables, n.e.s. under heading 0712) in international HS-6 trade statistics. Many countries further split this category at 8–12 digits, so confirming the national tariff-line description is important when isolating dried garlic.
What documents are commonly required to import dried garlic (a plant product) into Pakistan?Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP) states that imports require a valid import permit obtained before import, and release order/clearance typically relies on the DPP import permit, a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country, and standard trade documents such as the commercial invoice, packing list, and shipping documents (bill of lading/airway bill/bill of entry), plus any required treatment certificate.
Is Pakistan primarily a producer or an import-dependent market for garlic-related supply?Official commodity monitoring reports that Pakistan produces garlic domestically but still needs to import garlic to fulfill domestic demand, with province-level production shares led by Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reported off-season periods where imports (notably from China) cover limited local supply.