Interested in Producing Garlic in New Brunswick
Answered by: Richters Staff
Question from: Cheryl Laurent
Posted: Before April 1998

I have a few questions about garlic. The first one is I’m wondering about retailing and wholesaling garlic in New Brunswick. But I want to know if there’s a great demand for this product? Is it o.k to grow it in New Brunswick, Canada? I really can use the input from someone who knows about this stuff! Thank you

The demand for garlic in Canada has risen steadily in the past decade. Most of the demand is met by imported garlic, but domestic production is growing rapidly. In Ontario, production has grown from 50 hectares (120 acres) in 1992 to 160 hectares (400 acres) in 1996. This is likely to increase more rapidly now that the Canadian government has imposed a punitive duty on Chinese garlic which had been dumped on both the North American and European markets in recent years.

The bulk of the market will continue to be served by imported garlic for the forseeable future, but the market for domestic production is growing because of superior quality and, in some cases, because of organic certification. Distinguishing qualities are recognized by the market and prices vary accordingly. Organic garlic fetches as much as $6.60 a kilogram for the farmer.

Garlic is very hardy and should do well in New Brunswick. The most popular variety in Ontario – for its hardiness and consistently good yields – is ‘Music’.

Bruce McEwen, a successful commercial garlic grower in Ontario spoke on garlic production at the 1996 Richters Commercial Herb Growing Conference. He discussed some of the developments in garlic marketing and prices in recent years. His speech is included in the conference transcripts which are available from Richters (cat. no. B7100).

You should also get Ron Engeland’s "Growing Great Garlic" (available from Richters). Engeland’s book emphasizes the production of top quality garlic that competes well with cheap imported garlic. He discusses varieties, cultivation, harvesting, storage and marketing in great detail.

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