THAILAND - Call me a garlic enthusiast if you want, but the produce item brings a specific and much-needed element to culinary experiences. Knowing that garlic is a crowd favorite, it’s no surprise that after local prices for the produce item dropped, Thailand’s military had to be called in to take control over illegal smuggling efforts.
Garlic is making its way across borders from neighboring countries, according to Sky News. Military officers are trying to halt smuggling operations by working alongside the customs department and commerce ministry, according to Boonyarit Kalayanamit, Director General of the Internal Trade Department.
As a result of smuggled and cheaper garlic being imported, local farmers are struggling to keep up with dropping prices. Last year, garlic cost 115 baht, or $3.59 USD, but has sunk to this year’s 77.5 baht, or $2.42 USD. Garlic from China is also considerably cheaper than Thailand’s garlic, coming in at an all-time low for this year’s harvest, the news source relays.
Coordinated heists from neighboring countries are becoming a major problem for the vegetable’s growers, and this is something that Kalayanamit says the three departments are working together to resolve. What is happening, specifically, is garlic is making its way into Thailand, causing prices to drop exponentially. According to the news source, China, which does not share a border with Thailand, is one of the biggest garlic producers in the world. China was responsible for 72.8 percent of the world’s garlic exports in 2016, the news source conveys, which holds a $2.7 billion value. Those found with imported garlic without the necessary permit will get “at least five years” in prison, a fine of up to 140,000 baht, or $4,375, or even both.
Thailand’s garlic growth has increased 10.6 percent since last year, thanks to an increase in growers in the north, which will relay in approximately 84,000 tons of garlic produced in Thailand this year. The country imports about 44,000 tons of garlic a year to keep up with consumer demands for the veggie favorite, and about 121,000 tons of garlic is consumed in Thailand every year.
To resolve the contraband issue, the Thai military is stepping in. The Director General of the Thai Customs Department, Kulit Sombatsiri, said that it is inspecting garlic imports from other countries. Most of the smuggled garlic thus far, he expressed, is coming from Chiang Rai, bording Myanmar and Laos that sits 100 miles from the Chinese border.
How will this garlic pricing plummet impact the rest of the industry’s production and pricing? How will distribution and sales reflect this impeding problem? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest!
