Agriculture Market News : Due to seasonal demand Garlic prices shoot up 40%

Due to lower production, Garlic prices have jumped by 40% in the last three months. Data compiled by National Horticulture Board (NHB) showed garlic price increase to Rs 82 a kg in the wholesale markets in December, as compared to Rs 59 a kg in September.

Retail market was also quick to respond to the rise in the wholesale markets, even as supply remained a core concern for both. In retail markets here, garlic was quoted at Rs 147 a kg on Thursday as compared to Rs 100 a kg in September.

RP Gupta, Director, National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) said that the major reason for increase in garlic prices was the crop damage by unseasonal rainfalls during the crop maturing period last year. As a consequence, the overall output is estimated to decline this year.

10-15% garlic crop damage this year due to unseasonal rainfalls and hailstorms on a regular basis in major producing centres. The third advance estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture forecasts India’s garlic production at 1.29 million tonnes in the crop year (2014-15) as compared to 1.25 million tonnes in the previous year.

Higher production was estimated, based on increased area under acreage this year. Data from NHB revealed a total sowing area of 0.24 million ha in 2014-15 as compared to 0.23 million ha during last year.

“Prices are likely to cool down once the arrival of new season’s crop begins in full swing probably in the next couple of weeks,” Gupta added.

Data collated by the Ministry of Commerce showed India’s total garlic exports jumped by over 40% to 5,797.55 tonnes in the period between April-September this year as against 4,117 tonnes in the same period last year. Normally, exports in October-March period jump sharply as seen in the last financial year. During the second half of the last financial year, garlic exports from India jumped by an emphatic 64 % to 6,753 tonnes.

Area and Production of Garlic:

Crop Year	Area (ha)	Production( tonnes)
2009-10	164.9	834
2010-11	201	1058
2011-12	242	1228
2012-13	248	1259
2013-14	231	1252
2014-15	244	1292

Source: http:// www.business-standard.com/