Having imported fresh garlic from Spain for the main retail market in South Africa for over 5 years, in 2019 we decided it was time to figure out why the country did not grow the quality of garlic those retailers required.

We have observed that local varieties of garlic, such as those found in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, are short-day varieties, well-suited for warmer winters and early spring conditions. However, they may not be the best choice in other areas of the country, where longer-day cultivars adapt better.

It soon became obvious the issue had nothing to do with climate or soil conditions, but rather with the type and quality of the seed material available in the country.

Garlic can only be propagated through vegetative reproduction, which can lead to the accumulation of viruses over time. Additionally, minor natural cumulative mutations and the lack of structured selection programs that keep desirable traits and reject undesirable defects, can result in a decline in product quality and potential yield.