September 28 2006, 13:16

Garlic will be in short supply to Ukrainian market again

The demand for garlic is constantly growing on Ukrainian market. At the same time, the rates of this crop production growth are insufficient, to the opinion of the specialists of the Agricultural Marketing Project. The demand growth is caused not only by greater consumption from the side of population, but also due to the increased production of canned vegetables.

The same amount of garlic will be harvested in 2006 comparing to the previous year. The production increase is very insignificant; the market will easily take all harvest in, the specialists think.

According to the data provided by State Statistics Committee, 1,481 tons of garlic were supplied to Ukraine; China implemented 98% of the shipments. Around 500 tons of garlic were imported to Ukraine in the first half of 2006; the importing rates approximately correspond to the previous year level.

The prices for garlic are higher now comparing to fall 2005. In the end of September last year the wholesale price for garlic was 15-20% lower than in 2006. Garlic prices sometimes exceeded 2-3-fold the past year prices in the summer period this year.

Speaking about the possible extension of garlic cultivation areas, the farmers mention shortage of seedling material to be the main problem. The sources to buy seed garlic are just absent.