Why Ukrainian Garlic is Rare on the Market: Main Reasons and Prospects
In Ukraine, consumers predominantly buy imported garlic, particularly from China. Domestic production of this crop remains minimal, and there are currently no significant trends for substantial growth. One of the main reasons for this situation is the lack of professional garlic producers.
This is reported by AgroReview
Lack of Professional Farmers and Modern Technologies
According to Andriy Marushchak, the commercial director of a company specializing in technological solutions for the storage and processing of vegetables and fruits, the domestic garlic market faces serious challenges. He notes that systems for professional garlic storage are just beginning to be implemented, but the number of farmers engaged in this crop at a professional level remains critically low.
“Currently, we are launching a garlic storage system, which will be harvested around the beginning of July. In Ukraine, all garlic is grown as winter garlic. However, there is no Ukrainian garlic in Ukraine, and there won’t be any. And this is not due to the weather – there is a critically small number of professional ‘growers’ of garlic in Ukraine. They can be counted on one hand,” Andriy Marushchak said in an interview.
The expert also points out that the problem lies not only in the lack of proper infrastructure for storing the harvest. According to him, there are insufficient modern storage facilities for garlic in the country, but this is not the main limiting factor for the industry’s development.
Challenges for Farmers: Seeds, Equipment, and Economics
Another significant issue is the shortage of quality seed material. Ukraine has promising garlic varieties, but there is not enough seed for large-scale cultivation. At the same time, there is sufficient land for growing, as well as farmers interested in this crop. However, successful production requires investment in specialized equipment designed solely for garlic cultivation. According to the specialist, such equipment is expensive, and the return on investment for the crop does not always justify the costs.
The expert emphasizes that although garlic is more expensive than potatoes, its yield is significantly lower — about 7 tons per hectare compared to 40 tons of potatoes. This makes garlic production considerably less profitable for large farms, which is why it is mostly undertaken by small farmers who cultivate plots of up to 20 hectares. Meanwhile, areas over 100 hectares for garlic remain a rarity in Ukraine.