Garlic in Ukraine: Reasons for Low Self-Sufficiency and Opportunities for Industry Development

Ukraine faces a serious problem of insufficient garlic production, covering only 30% of its needs for this product. Given this, experts believe that with a systematic approach to the development of the industry and the creation of modern storage facilities, the level of self-sufficiency can increase significantly. This was stated by the President of the Association of Garlic Producers of Ukraine, Julianna Moussa, a representative of the international garlic and onion growing company Gourmet.

According to Moussa, the main reason for the low level of production is the reduction of garlic areas in recent years, which was a consequence of the occupation of territories in Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. Today, garlic is grown in Ukraine on an area of ​​approximately 1,000–1,500 hectares. However, it is difficult to accurately assess these indicators, since a significant part of this crop is cultivated by small farms and family farms, which do not always register their activities.

Moussa also noted that the problem of garlic storage in Ukraine remains unresolved. The lack of proper conditions for long-term storage of products is one of the factors that complicate the development of this segment. Ukraine still lacks professional storage facilities, which are a necessary element for preserving garlic after harvest. "Many farmers face difficulties in storing and selling their crops due to poor storage conditions," the expert notes.

One of the reasons for the low level of garlic production in Ukraine is the refusal of some farmers from this crop due to losses and the lack of sufficient skills for effective cultivation. Many farmers do not have the necessary experience and technologies that allow them to obtain a stable and high-quality harvest, and also face difficulties in finding a sales market.

Another problem noted by experts is the low competitiveness of Ukrainian garlic in the foreign market due to the relatively high cost of production. This creates difficulties for Ukrainian farmers to enter international markets, where garlic from other countries, in particular from China, has a much lower price.

Despite these difficulties, there are positive trends. In particular, experts note that in the case of systematic development of the industry, as well as support from the state, Ukraine can significantly increase its garlic growing capacity. This requires not only the development of storage and cultivation technologies, but also the stimulation of the sales market, in particular through the creation of new sales channels both in Ukraine and abroad.

If Ukraine manages to resolve the issue of storage and create modern storage facilities for garlic, as well as improve conditions for farmers, the industry has every chance of significantly expanding production and increasing the level of self-sufficiency.