Egypt has sharply increased its garlic exports to Spain, reflecting a shift in the European market as Spanish producers contend with lower yields and rising costs.

According to EastFruit analysts, Spain, Europe’s largest garlic producer and exporter, imported more than 3,000 tons of Egyptian garlic between January and August 2025, valued at nearly US$6 million. This represents a fivefold increase compared with the same period last year and exceeds Egypt’s cumulative garlic exports to Spain over the past decade by about 50 per cent.

© EastFruit

Spain ranks third globally in garlic production, behind China and Argentina, but the country’s output has fallen in recent years due to drought, labor shortages, and higher input costs. Over the past three years, the garlic cultivation area has declined by roughly 30 per cent, resulting in lower production and exports and driving a surge in imports.

In 2024, Spain imported about 16,000 tons of garlic, up 85 per cent year-on-year and twice the 2022 volume. By August 2025, imports had already reached 14,000 tons, a 5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Imported garlic, especially from Egypt, remains cheaper than locally grown alternatives, making it an increasingly attractive option for Spanish retailers seeking to maintain competitive prices. Typically, Spain’s garlic imports peak during winter and spring when domestic stocks are low, then decline during the summer harvest. However, imports remained high throughout 2025, including during the harvest season.

© EastFruit

Traditionally, Spain sourced most of its imported garlic from China, Argentina, and the Netherlands, which together supplied about 80 per cent of imports in 2024. Egypt entered this group in 2025, exporting garlic mainly between May and July. During this period, Egyptian garlic accounted for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of the Spanish import market.

Egypt has now overtaken Argentina and the Netherlands to become Spain’s second-largest garlic supplier, behind China. Whether it maintains this position for the rest of the year will depend on export continuity and Spanish market demand.

In addition to garlic, Egypt has expanded its sweet potato exports to Spain, with reported volumes nearly four times higher than last season.

Source: East Fruit