Peruvian fresh garlic exports fall in the first half of 2021
Peru grows white garlic in the country’s southern region, while the famous “purple garlic” is produced in the northern region (Peruvian highland). Purple garlic is unique to Peru and is harvested at around 3,000 to 4,000 meters above sea level. The color is almost comparable with red onion in its intensity and has a strong flavor. The 2021 garlic crop from Peru is likely to start in July and go until December 2021. The first garlic crop comes from the North of Peru, and the remaining comes from the South of Peru.
Since 2020, the cost of importing garlic seeds has gone up due to various health benefits associated with its consumption. The high domestic price of garlic seeds and limited imports from China reduced the yield per acre of Peru’s garlic crop. The reduced crop resulted in limited quantities of garlic for domestic consumption and a reduced level of garlic available for exporting.
In 2020, Peru was ranked 9th in global garlic exports, exporting 11.93 million kgs, with major export destinations as Mexico, the United States, and Australia. Peru exported 4.25 million kgs of fresh garlic worth USD 7.42 million in the first half of the year. During the same period this year, Peru exported 1.47 million kgs of fresh garlic for a FOB value worth USD 2.98 million. The volume of garlic exports dropped by 65%, and the value was down by 60% compared to the same period last year. The country exported fresh garlic during this period to Mexico (45% of the total), followed by Ecuador (34%), Australia (11%), the United States (3%), and other destinations with smaller amounts (7%).
Source: Agraria.Pe
As garlic season begins in Peru, it is expected that the demand for Peruvian garlic in the global market will increase. The country can capture markets like Canada, Australia, some parts of Mexico, and the U.S. with its purple garlic while faces competition from China and Spain in exporting white garlic during the peak season in Peru. Peruvian suppliers try to target countries like Mexico, the U.S., and Brazil, where imported Chinese garlic is banned, or there are high import duties.
