A disappointing 2009 Chinese garlic crop has helped India increase its exports of the commodity to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Bangladesh, with exports in 2009/10 almost 13 times higher than in 2008/09.
Up until the end of February, the value of India's garlic exports rose by over seven times on the previous year to be Rs252.9m (US$27,873) as against Rs30.7m (US$3,383) during 2008/09.
"China is the market-maker in garlic. According to reports, the last Chinese crop was a washout compelling countries like Malaysia and Indonesia to procure from India," Mumbai garlic trader Kanubhai Mehta told the Financial Express.
China is the world's largest garlic producer, accounting for around 60-65 per cent of global output.
It's estimated Indian garlic production in 2009/10 will reach 850,000 tonnes and the country produces both small varieties with a high number of cloves, which the domestic market prefers, and the larger garlic more suitable for export.
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