Garlic and Ginger Markets: Trusted Insights and Expert Analysis from Garland Food, LLC

At Garland, we've spent over 30 years tracking every harvest, every trade policy shift, and every supply chain development that affects the garlic and ginger markets. That deep knowledge is what allows us to anticipate change and help our customers stay ahead of it. Here's our read on where things stand right now.

Garlic Market

If you want to understand the global garlic market, there's really only one variable that matters: China. With global production exceeding 29 million tons annually, China accounts for roughly 73% of the world's garlic supply. Every shift in Chinese production, up or down, sends ripples through markets from South America to Europe to the United States.

Beyond raw output, the other major factor is how Chinese garlic moves (or doesn't). Trade barriers like tariffs, import quotas, and in some cases outright restrictions, shape which countries receive Chinese product and at what price. And when those barriers exist, workarounds inevitably emerge. We're currently seeing active market discussion around tariff evasion tactics, including transshipment through third countries, which is creating price distortions that careful buyers need to understand.

The US Market: An Oversupply Story

Right now, the US garlic market is saturated. Multiple supply streams are converging at once: South American garlic in multiple quality tiers continues to flow in significant volumes, Chinese garlic remains present through various import channels, and new crops from Mexico and other origins are approaching harvest and headed to US buyers.

The trend is clear, prices have been declining, and that pressure is expected to continue into the coming months as new harvest volumes hit the market.

A Strategic Window for Contract Buyers

Here's the insight that matters most right now: while spot prices are falling, this is an unusually good moment to lock in contract pricing. Buyers who secure contracts today can benefit from current competitive pricing while protecting themselves against the market's inherent volatility, which historically can swing hard and fast when supply tightens.

At Garland, we source garlic from Argentina, Spain, Mexico, China, and Peru, giving us the flexibility to always offer the right product at the right price point, regardless of where supply disruptions occur.

Ginger Market

The ginger market in 2026 is a tale of two origins, and knowing the difference is critical to smart purchasing.

Peru: Quality Peruvian ginger is tight and expensive right now. Raw material scarcity has pushed prices significantly above recent averages, and that pressure is unlikely to ease until the new crop arrives in the second half of the year. For buyers with flexibility, current spot opportunities may be worth acting on before prices move higher. Once the new crop comes in mid-year, pricing is projected to stabilize and remain comparable to the second half of 2025.

China: Chinese ginger is available and pricing has been stable for the first half of 2026. However, the longer transit times required to reach the US East Coast, and the quality risks that come with extended shipping — require careful planning and supplier selection. Potential quality concerns are expected toward the later part of the current crop cycle, making source vetting especially important.

Garland's Approach

We've built a diversified, resilient ginger supply chain with sourcing from multiple origins, continuously evaluating variety selection, packaging innovation, and transit optimization to maintain quality standards regardless of where market pressure is coming from. Our customers shouldn't have to worry about ginger supply or quality, even when the market gets complicated.

What This Means for Your Business

Markets like these reward preparation and penalize reactive buying. Garlic buyers should consider locking in contract pricing now while downward spot trends create a favorable entry point. Ginger buyers need to be aware of Peru supply tightness in the near term and plan proactively for the second half of the year. And across both categories, quality tiers matter more than ever in a market flooded with mixed-quality supply, Garland's certifications (Kosher, GFSI, USDA Organic, Global GAP) ensure you're getting exactly what you pay for.

Stay Ahead with Garland

This is the kind of market intelligence we bring to every customer relationship. With over 30 years in the business, three production facilities across the US, and sourcing relationships spanning five continents, we don't just react to the market, we help our customers navigate it.

Want the full picture, including specific pricing, volume availability, or a deeper look at how current dynamics affect your product needs? Reach out to our team at moreinfo@garlandfood.net or visit garlandfood.net/contact-us. We'd love to help you make the most of what the market is offering right now.