Fresh arrivals unlikely to affect garlic prices

Fresh arrivals of garlic are expected to begin shortly. Demand of garlic in the state is about 15,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg) and is mainly from north and south Gujarat.

We are expecting fresh arrivals of around 5,000 quintal of garlic, said said Purshottam Vaghasiya, a Gondal-based trader.

However, the arrivals are unlikely to effect prices, which are expected to remain stable, as APMCs across MP and UP would also be flush with garlic, feels another Gujarat-based trader. Price would be effected only in case of a supply crunch, which is unlikely.

Previous arrivals of garlic were in early December, when farmers disposed of their stock due to favourable price equation between Indian and Chinese garlic.

"In December, prices of Chinese garlic was in the Rs 75-80 per kg region as against Rs 15-20 per kg for Indian Garlic. With this in mind, traders quickly released their stocks and also exported a big chunk of the produce to Pakistan," said Gordhanbhai Patel, secretary, Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Gondal.

In the last few days, garlic sales at the Gondal APMC have been fluctuating. On January 3, garlic prices were in the Rs 120"�515 range for various varieties of garlic, and the quantity traded was 3,190 quintal.

On January 4, prices were in the Rs 125"�445 region, and the quantity traded was 2,585 quintal. On January 5, prices were in the Rs 120"�529 range, and quantity traded stood at 2,344 quintal.

In India, garlic is mainly produced in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. New Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Orissa are the major consumers of the commodity.