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Demand for garlic is on the rise
Cloves of garlic. The commodities’ prices have been on an upsurge in most markets around Kampala since 2009.
Ms Mary Nabacwa, a trader who deals in spices in Owino market says, “Garlic is on high demand in Uganda because people buy it for different reasons.”
She says that garlic which is locally also known as katunguluchumu is one product that you can never go wrong with. There is always ready market whenever it is available.
In Uganda, people buy garlic for two reasons: for spicing and for medicinal purposes. And this, Ms Nabacwa says, helps push the market. “It would have been different if people bought it for only one reasonbut currently, if one buys it for one reason, another buys it for another,” she says.
Garlic in Uganda is only grown in Kabarole district in western Uganda. The other garlic sold here comes from China and Kenya. “Garlic grown in Uganda is not as good as the one imported from Kenya and China. The Ugandan garlic seeds easily shrink and don’t give good results when cooked or eaten.”
Ms Nabacwa says adding that most people however just buy because many can’t tell the difference when buying. It’s not until they use the garlic that they realise it’s different. The one that is grown here always seems like it has stayed for long.
After garlic has been harvested, Mr Isa Katongole, a trader in Kabalagala market says that it stays for as long as six months before getting spoiled.
However, if stored poorly, garlic will go bad faster than you can imagine. He says, “Garlic should be stored in a cool, dry place.”
Both Mr Katongole and Ms Nabacwa say garlic prices are increasing. Mr Katongole says that since 2009, there has been a trend of prices increasing by Shs500.
In 2009, he says they would buy four seeds of garlic at Shs1,000 and sell at Shs1,500.
Currently, they buy four seeds of garlic at Shs1,500 and Shs2,000 and sell at Shs2,000 and Shs2,500.
He says, “Some people think they are saving by buying one seed which costs Shs700 yet I think they would save more if they bought a whole packet at Shs2,000.”
Garlic grows well in loam fertile soils and if the soil is evenly moist.
