Farmers in Karnataka are facing mounting concerns as Chinese-grown garlic floods markets in tier-two cities and towns across the Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts.
Local growers are worried about the competition from the cheaper imported garlic, which threatens to undercut their livelihoods.
The issue came to a head on Tuesday when traders in Shivamogga expressed frustration over the Chinese garlic’s presence.
In response, Udupi Municipal Commissioner B Rayappa raided a wholesaler in the Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC) yard in Adi Udupi, seizing five quintals of Chinese garlic.
He assured traders that the confiscated produce would only be released once its legitimacy was verified.
While Indian garlic varieties are priced around ₹250 per kilogram, Chinese garlic is sold at a much lower rate, between ₹50 and ₹60 per kilogram. Traders noted that customers prefer the imported garlic due to its larger size and ease of peeling and crushing.
APMC officials in Mangaluru confirmed that Chinese garlic had entered the market under legitimate trade licences. Retailers, they added, are not required to hold special licenses to sell the imported produce.
A local bulk trader, Mohammad Ishaq, acknowledged the presence of Chinese garlic in Indian markets but argued it helps stabilise prices.
He noted that the influx of Chinese garlic would likely cause Indian garlic prices, currently trading at ₹200-225 per kilogram, to drop to ₹175-150 per kilogram.
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