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At the beginning of last month, garlic prices ruled over Rs 12,000 a quintal. But now, they are quoting lower than Rs 4,000 a quintal.
In major growing States such as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, garlic is quoted between Rs 3,000 and Rs 3,500 a quintal.
New crop arrives
The main reason for garlic prices to crash over 70 per cent within a span of 30 days is arrival of the new crop in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
“The garlic crop in Madhya Pradesh is good despite reports of frost from some areas. Arrivals are good and it is one of the reasons why prices have dropped sharply,” said Mr Umesh Agrawal, a trader at the Aloo-Piaz mandi in Indore.
The crop is better or as good as last year, he said.
At present, 10,000-12,000 bags (50 kg each) are arriving in the Indore market.
“Garlic crop in Gujarat too is good. Arrivals are 2,000 bags (60 kg each) at the Gondal market,” said Mr Mahesh Patodia, a trader. The Gondal market is some 100 km from Rajkot.
Rajkot
In Rajkot, arrivals have been over 75 tonnes since last week and crossed 100 tonnes on Monday. Arrivals were 90 tonnes on Tuesday and it helped prices rise to Rs 3,000 from Rs 2,750 on Monday. During the same time last month, prices at Rajkot were Rs 11,250.
On Tuesday, prices at Indore were Rs 3,500 against Rs 12,000 a month ago.
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat hold the key to garlic crop in the country.
Of the 2.09 lakh hectares on which garlic has been cultivated this agricultural year (July 2010-June 2011), Gujarat accounted for 40,000 hectares (33,000 hectares last year) and Madhya Pradesh 54,000 hectares (40,450 hectares). Uttar Pradesh is the other significant State where the crop is grown on 35,000 hectares (34,470 hectares).
Garlic production is estimated at 12.64 lakh tonnes (lt) against 8.9 lt last year. In Madhya Pradesh, the output is projected at 2.28 lt (1.67 lt), and in Gujarat, it is seen at 2.75 lt (2.28 lt). The crop in Uttar Pradesh is expected to be 1.90 lt (1.83 lt).
Garlic prices surged from the second half of last year on higher exports. Exports increased to 16,500 tonnes valued at Rs 65 crore till January in the current fiscal, against 9,250 tonnes valued at Rs 25.38 crore.
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