Garlic Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Garlic prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025 have been shaped by a mix of global supply dynamics, import reliance, domestic production challenges, and shifting consumer demand. The U.S. is a major net importer of garlic, primarily sourcing from China, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina, with California leading domestic production but meeting only a fraction of demand. 

2020: Low Prices During Pandemic Uncertainty

In 2020, garlic prices in the U.S. were relatively low due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s initial disruption of global trade and demand. Wholesale import prices averaged around $2.00 to $2.50 per kilogram, reflecting a dip as lockdowns slowed foodservice demand, though home cooking surged later in the year. Global garlic imports rose 13% to 2.5 million tons, driven by perceptions of garlic’s immunity-boosting properties, but record Chinese exports curbed price growth. Retail prices typically ranged from $2 to $3 per pound in supermarkets, with California garlic holding steady at around $1.00 to $1.50 per pound at farmgate levels due to labor-intensive harvesting.

2021: Recovery and Modest Increase

By 2021, prices began to climb as supply chains stabilized and demand for garlic grew with the resurgence of dining and cooking trends. Wholesale import prices rose to $2.50 to $3.00 per kilogram, with U.S. imports valued at $235 million, largely from China and Mexico. Retail prices averaged $2.50 to $3.50 per pound, though specialty varieties like organic or hardneck garlic fetched $4 to $5 per pound in some markets. Domestic production in California faced pressure from rising labor and water costs, keeping farmgate prices around $1.50 per pound, insufficient to offset imports.

2022: Price Spike Amid Supply Chain Strains

In 2022, garlic prices spiked due to global supply chain bottlenecks, higher shipping costs, and a smaller-than-normal Mexican crop. Wholesale import prices reached $2.80 to $3.50 per kilogram, with the average import price hitting $2,615 per ton ($2.62 per kilogram) early in the year before moderating. Retail prices climbed to $3 to $5 per pound, with some reports of gourmet garlic exceeding $6 per pound. U.S. exports grew modestly to 3.6 thousand tons, with export prices at $5.56 per kilogram, reflecting demand from Canada and Mexico. California’s crop was impacted by drought, pushing domestic prices up slightly but not enough to compete with cheaper imports.

2023: Peak Prices with Strong Demand

By 2023, garlic prices peaked as U.S. imports dropped 5.1% to 114 thousand tons, ending a three-year rise, while import values hit $259 million. The average import price rose to $2,280 per ton ($2.28 per kilogram), a 12% increase from 2022, driven by a smaller global supply and robust demand. Wholesale prices ranged from $2.50 to $3.50 per kilogram, while retail prices averaged $3.50 to $5.50 per pound, with organic or locally grown garlic often exceeding $6. China’s dominance (50%+ of U.S. imports) and Spain’s higher-priced offerings ($3,710 per ton) influenced the market, while domestic production struggled with yield declines to 13 tons per hectare.

2024: Stabilization with Higher Baseline

In 2024, prices stabilized but remained elevated due to a smaller California crop and reduced Spanish acreage (down 20-30% from water shortages). Wholesale import prices settled at $2.50 to $3.50 per kilogram, with specific examples like $3.20 to $3.50 per kilogram for Chilean garlic in early 2024. Retail prices ranged from $3 to $5 per pound, though premium varieties hit $6 to $7 in urban markets. U.S. export prices held at $5,736 per ton ($5.74 per kilogram), reflecting steady demand. Industry reports noted a higher-than-normal market due to El Niño effects and supply constraints, with organic garlic commanding a 15-20% premium.

2025: Current Trends

As of April 2, 2025, garlic prices show a slight upward trend from 2024’s baseline. Wholesale import prices are estimated at $2.80 to $3.80 per kilogram, aligning with a predicted 2.7% rise in food-at-home prices from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. Retail prices range from $3.50 to $5.50 per pound, with organic or specialty garlic (e.g., hardneck) reaching $6 to $8 per pound in some regions. California farmgate prices hover around $1.50 to $2.00 per pound, constrained by slow production cycles (8-10 months) and inability to scale quickly. Potential tariffs under the Trump administration, such as a proposed 60% on Chinese imports, could push prices higher if enacted.

Key Influences

• Imports: China supplies over 50% of U.S. garlic, with Mexico and Spain filling gaps. Shipping costs and trade policies heavily affect prices.

• Domestic Supply: California’s output (e.g., Gilroy, the “garlic capital”) is limited by climate, water, and labor, keeping it pricier than imports.

• Demand: Health trends and ethnic cuisine popularity (e.g., Indian, Mediterranean) sustain demand, especially for value-added products like garlic powder.

• Variability: Prices differ by source (e.g., Spain at $3.71 per kilogram vs. Argentina at $1.62) and type (hardneck vs. softneck).

Conclusion

In summary, garlic prices in the U.S. rose from a 2020 low to a 2023 peak, stabilizing in 2024 and ticking up slightly in early 2025. Future increases could hinge on trade policies, weather, and production shifts, with the market poised for potential volatility if supply tightens further.