Garlic, known in traditional Chinese medicine, is the bulb of the plant Allium sativum L. from the Amaryllidaceae family, genus Allium. Cultivated widely across northern and southern China, it is renowned for its medicinal properties, including detoxification, swelling reduction, parasite elimination, and dysentery relief. It is commonly used to treat abscesses, skin infections, tuberculosis, whooping cough, diarrhea, and痢疾 (dysentery), while also serving as a staple ingredient in daily cuisine.

       China is the world’s largest garlic producer, accounting for approximately 80% of global output. Major production hubs include Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu provinces, with renowned varieties such as Jinxiang’s “white-skinned garlic” and Cangshan’s “four-six clove garlic.” Export categories encompass fresh garlic, dried garlic, sliced garlic, garlic powder, and other deep-processed products. As a leading global producer and exporter, China must prioritize compliance with target markets’ regulations, quarantine requirements, and trade policies in international trade.

       Customs data reveals that China’s cumulative garlic exports from January to March 2025 reached $697 million, a year-on-year increase of 7.18%, with total export volume at 489,000 metric tons, up 3.14% annually. While both export value and volume showed overall growth for the quarter, monthly analysis indicates that the volume increase was primarily driven by a 13.23% surge in March, whereas January and February saw declines of 2.27% and 2.52%, respectively. In contrast, export value maintained a month-on-month upward trend, with growth rates of 1.82%, 5.46%, and 13.64% over the same period. This trend underscores a strategic shift in China’s garlic exports—from scale expansion to value enhancement. In the short term, price mechanisms are mitigating cost pressures and market volatility, while long-term competitiveness will depend on technological innovation (e.g., deep processing) and brand development.

       China’s primary garlic export markets include Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brazil, and the UAE, with Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia collectively accounting for 31.67% of total export value. Emerging markets such as Brazil, the UAE, and the Philippines have shown significant growth, reflecting rising garlic demand in these economies.

       In Europe, the Netherlands remains China’s largest garlic importer, holding a 4.34% market share, while the U.S. accounts for only 3.62%. Germany, France, and other European markets each hold less than 0.2%, highlighting market saturation and the impact of trade barriers in Western economies. Notably, in Norway, Chinese garlic commands a premium price of $3.3/kg, 10 times higher than in low-cost markets, raising concerns about potential dumping allegations and quality disputes.

       Overall, China’s garlic exports in Q1 2025 exhibited a Southeast Asia-dominated, emerging market-driven, and Europe-U.S.-divergent pattern. U.S. tariff policies have intensified market uncertainties, but risks can be mitigated through regional diversification and value chain upgrading. Moving forward, exporters must closely monitor trade policy shifts and tap into the demand potential of emerging markets.

(This article is an original creation by BTD. Please indicate the source when reposting.)