Chinese garlic

Despite a decade-long ban on importing Chinese garlic into India, a massive influx of Chinese garlic—four to five times the usual amount—has triggered outrage among traders and farmers in Saurashtra.

The Rajkot Yard Traders Association suspects that the garlic found in Gondal may have arrived in large containers directly from China. They have demanded a thorough government investigation into the matter and called for an immediate halt to such imports.

In protest, traders in Rajkot and other markets across Saurashtra have announced a halt to garlic auctions for the day.

There are also reports of Chinese garlic being found in a warehouse in Upleta, raising concerns that large quantities of garlic from China may have entered India illegally via another country, bypassing the ban.

According to the Rajkot Market Yard Commission Agent Association, “Chinese garlic is larger, but its taste and quality are inferior. This is why Indian garlic remains in high demand worldwide. There is a suspicion that this Chinese garlic may have been dumped in India via Afghanistan. To raise awareness and prompt government action, traders across Saurashtra will stop garlic auctions today and protest in markets where Indian garlic is grown.”

Last year in September, garlic prices in the yard ranged between ₹1,400 and ₹2,200 per mann (a local unit of measurement, roughly equalling 40 kg). By August 9 this year, prices had risen from ₹2,500 to ₹3,400 per mann, and the market saw a further increase from August 10 onward.

On August 22, prices peaked at ₹5,500, though today the rates have stabilised between ₹3,500 and ₹5,100—still nearly 2.5 times higher than the previous year.

Gujarat produces over 2 lakh tonnes of garlic annually, and farmers in Saurashtra have been receiving good prices for their crops this year. However, with the large-scale dumping of Chinese garlic feared, there is concern that the market could collapse.

Amidst these fears, serious questions have been raised regarding how 750 kgs of Chinese garlic entered the Gondal Yard, especially since the yard’s chairman is a leader from the ruling BJP.

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