California Garlic Harvest Nears With Demand Riding COVID-19 Boost

California garlic harvest will begin by mid-June, but COVID-19-related demand is expected to keep market conditions firm in the weeks ahead. U.S. average terminal market prices for garlic, all origins, sizes and cartons, was estimated at $82.63 per carton on May 16, up 26% from $66.13 per carton in mid-March and 40% higher than $48.51 per carton in mid-May a year ago. Wholesale market garlic prices range from $60 per 30-pound carton to well over $100 per carton in mid-May, depending on sizes and quality, said Bruce Klein, sales and marketing representative with Maurice A Auerbach Inc., Secaucus, N.J.