Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh or chilled garlic (HS 0703.20) is supplied in South Africa through a mix of domestic production and imports, with production areas spanning multiple provinces (as described in DALRRD’s garlic market value-chain profile). In gross trade terms, South Africa was a net importer in 2023 (imports: 2,994,730 kg vs exports: 772,797 kg; UN Comtrade via WITS). Import competitiveness is materially shaped by border measures including a specific anti-dumping duty on PRC-origin garlic maintained at 1 925c/kg (ITAC Report No. 663). Market distribution includes National Fresh Produce Markets (NFPM) and direct sales to wholesalers/retailers (ITAC Report No. 663).
Market RoleNet importer (gross imports exceeded gross exports in 2023; UN Comtrade via WITS)
Domestic RoleDomestic production supplies wholesale channels including National Fresh Produce Markets (NFPM), alongside imported supply (ITAC Report No. 663).
Specification
Primary VarietySoftneck garlic
Physical Attributes- Traded as fresh/chilled whole bulbs or individual cloves; can be unpeeled or peeled (ITAC Report No. 663).
- May be cured, trimmed, cleaned and graded in commercial handling (ITAC Report No. 663).
- Garlic delivered in cold storage (chilled garlic) is considered “fresh garlic” in the SACU/ITAC trade-remedy context (ITAC Report No. 663).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic: farm production → curing/cleaning/trimming/grading → wholesale distribution via NFPM and direct sales to wholesalers/retailers (ITAC Report No. 663).
- Import: importer secures NPPOZA plant import permit → exporter ensures compliance with South African phytosanitary import conditions via exporting-country NPPO → shipment arrival and plant health controls → importer distribution (South African Government guidance on plant import permits).
Temperature- Chilled (cold-stored) garlic is treated as “fresh garlic” in the SACU/ITAC product definition (ITAC Report No. 663).
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImporting fresh garlic into South Africa requires an NPPOZA plant import permit and compliance with South Africa’s phytosanitary import conditions; missing or non-compliant documentation/conditions can result in entry refusal, delays, or enforcement action.Obtain the NPPOZA import permit in advance, confirm the origin-specific phytosanitary conditions with DALRRD/NPPOZA, and ensure the exporting-country NPPO issues a phytosanitary certificate aligned to the permit conditions.
Trade Remedy MediumGarlic (fresh or chilled) originating in or imported from China is subject to a maintained anti-dumping duty of 1 925c/kg under HS 0703.20, which can materially change landed cost and competitiveness for PRC-origin supply.Confirm product classification and origin at contract stage and model landed cost with the applicable anti-dumping duty for PRC-origin supply; consider alternative origins where appropriate.
Tariffs MediumApplied customs duty for HS 0703.20 is listed as 325c/kg with a maximum of 37% under the general rate, while ITAC’s tariff table also lists duty-free preference for EU and SADC; misalignment between expected and applied rate can materially affect landed cost.Verify the applicable duty rate and eligibility for any preference listed for the shipment’s origin and maintain documentation consistent with the declared tariff treatment.
Market Pricing MediumITAC’s injury analysis highlights sensitivity of domestic prices and sales volumes to low-priced imports (including scenarios where duties lapse), indicating exposure to import-driven price undercutting and price depression in the market.Use flexible pricing clauses and maintain market monitoring (import volumes and wholesale pricing) to manage exposure to import-driven price swings.
FAQ
What documents are typically required to import fresh garlic into South Africa?You generally need a plant/plant product import permit issued by South Africa’s NPPOZA and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s NPPO confirming the shipment meets South Africa’s phytosanitary import conditions.
Does South Africa apply anti-dumping duties to garlic imported from China?Yes. ITAC Report No. 663 states that an anti-dumping duty of 1 925c/kg is maintained on fresh or chilled garlic (HS 0703.20) originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China.
Who were South Africa’s main import suppliers of fresh or chilled garlic in 2023?UN Comtrade data via WITS shows that in 2023 South Africa’s main suppliers (by import value/quantity) included Spain, India, China, Malaysia and Argentina.
Which regions in South Africa are identified as garlic production areas?DALRRD’s garlic market value-chain profile identifies production areas including Limpopo (notably the Polokwane Plateau), North West, Gauteng, parts of the Free State, parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape (notably the Karoo), and parts of the Northern Cape (Douglas area).