Chinese fresh garlic production could be off as much as 15 percent this year, according to Jim Provost of I Love Produce, LLC, based in Kelton, PA.Li Shanying; Jim Provost of I Love Produce; Wang Jianhua; and Wei Xue, general manager, LaiWu ManHing Vegetables Fruits Corp.

Provost had just returned from a trip to China on May 21 when he told The Produce News that the acreage devoted to garlic is down about 25 percent this season but very good growing and harvesting conditions have led to an increase in yields, and reduced the overall deficit. While in China, Provost attended the ninth annual China Garlic 2019, a conference devoted to this year’s crop.

One of the main takeaways was the decrease in production, which Provost said was tied directly to poor returns for growers over the last year because of the worldwide demand and supply situation. “Growers cut back on the acreage,” he said, noting a traditional U.S. grower response to low prices.

Provost added that the wholesale price of garlic is up about 35 percent and the new 25 percent tariff imposed by the United States will be in addition, and increase its overall cost to U.S. buyers.