The province of Córdoba's garlic harvest has already started. The area devoted to this crop is the same as last year, but it's still well below that of two seasons ago.
According to Miguel del Pino, president of Asaja's Garlic Sector, the initial forecast for the area planted with garlic was around 1,000 hectares, a very similar area to last year, but half that of two harvests ago. In 2024, the area planted decreased by almost 60% compared to the previous year due to a lack of water.
"Only 400 hectares have been allocated to this crop this year because it is sown in late autumn and during the winter. Things have changed since then. Producers in Cordoba were not sure they would have water. Thus, they opted to grow their product in nearby areas where they were certain they would have water, such as the provinces of Seville, Malaga, and, above all, Castilla-La Mancha. It's worth noting that garlic cultivation requires investing 12,000 to 13,000 euros per hectare a year," del Pino stated.
The area under cultivation has significantly decreased from the 9,000 hectares reached in the 1980s and 90s.
Likewise, as with many more crops, profitability has significantly declined in recent years due to a sharp increase in costs, which has also contributed to the loss of area in recent years. "The limitations imposed by the European Union on the use of certain plant protection products have also contributed to this," del Pino stated.
"Prices are not expected to fall as production is expected to remain low. However, the final price depends on many factors, including presentation and quality. A reasonable price would stand at around 4.5 euros per kilo," he stated, adding they expected a higher quality product this season.
For more information: asajacordoba.es