EGYPT – The Egyptian garlic season is coming to an early end due to rapidly depleting stocks and soaring international demand, according to Ralph Nakhal from Tomna, a leading garlic grower.
Ralph explains, “The harvest ended in April, and we are currently shipping dry garlic. It looks like we will stop very soon as there is very little supply left.”
Egypt began the season with only half the usual garlic cultivation area compared to the previous year. This reduction, coupled with a global shortage, has driven prices up significantly.
Ralph highlights, “Prices have more than tripled since the start of the season. The main reason for this is the low area cultivated in Egypt, combined with low supply and high prices in Spain, as well as limited imports of Chinese garlic into Egypt.”
Despite the sharp rise in prices, Egyptian garlic remains more affordable than its competitors, including garlic from Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.
The limited supply has led European buyers to rely heavily on Egyptian garlic, sustaining high demand throughout the season. “The European market has maintained steady high demand for Egyptian garlic,” Ralph adds.
Looking ahead, the producer foresees an increase in the acreage of Egyptian garlic for the next season. However, this expansion depends on several factors, such as the cost of rent, fertilizers, and seeds. “Garlic farming is expensive compared to the output,” Ralph notes.
Egypt stands as one of the top garlic producers in Africa and the Middle East. In 2022, garlic production in Egypt reached 396,000 tons, an 11% decrease from the previous year.
Historically, Egypt’s garlic production peaked at 446,000 tons in 2021. Egypt has actively exported garlic to the European Union in recent years, achieving record export volumes in 2023, according to EastFruit.
Egypt faces challenges in the EU market, where it is seen more as a seasonal supplier compared to year-round exporters like China and Spain. Most of Egypt’s garlic exports to the EU go through re-exporting countries such as Slovenia, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of Egypt’s total garlic exports to the EU.
Other significant importers include Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, France, Romania, and Spain.
Notably, Slovenia re-exports a large portion of Egyptian garlic to Poland, affecting the revenue of Egyptian exporters. Extending the export season and reaching direct consumers are key objectives for Egypt’s garlic industry.
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