The restrictions on imports of Chinese garlic into the EU are to be loosened.

The new 33,700 tonne quota will be applied with retrospective effect to the garlic season from June to May.

An additional 20,500t worth of licences will have to be added in the last two quarters.

The additional quota will help reduce shortages in the European market.

The import of Chinese garlic has been restricted since the 1990s. The current quota, which has not been extended despite new countries joining the European Union, dates back to 2001, when the quota was set at 13,200t a year.