This is a considerable fall in price when compared to the same period last year during which time the prices ruled around Rs 15 (lower grades) and Rs 35 (premium quality).

Except Gujarat, where the crop was very poor this year because of drought, in other major growing areas such as MP and UP the yield was two to 2.5 times more than the normal production. According to traders, the normal production in MP and UP would be around 20 lakh quintals and in ,Gujarat which is another major producing area, the production will be around 30 to 40 lakh quintals.

This has resulted in heavy arrivals in the market against the normal consumption. The consumption level in Chennai alone is estimated to be around 1,000 to 1,200 bags of 50 kilos each per day. For the entire state of Tamil Nadu, the consumption will be between 5,000 to 8,000 bags of 50 kilos per day.

Since the arrivals are expected to increase during the next couple of months, low prices will be the order of the day, according to sources.Every year a substantial quantity of garlic is imported from China to meet the market demands during festival seasons. Last year about 1,500 to 2,000 containers were imported from China. This year already 150 containers have come into the market but there are not much of takers because the domestic variety is cheaper than the imported one, sources added. The premium variety from China is now costing about Rs 35 to Rs 37 per kilo, against Rs 20 to Rs 21 per kilo of the domestic variety.