AGRICULTURAL
Niche market
Garlic
Smells like Success
In this edition we explore garlic farming as a possible niche market for South African
farmers to tap into.
By Kefiloe Manthata
Senwes Journalist
S
enwes Scenario visited Senwes
client Pieter Maree on his farm,
burrowed between Klerksdorp
and Ventersdorp. Maree, who
has been steadily building up his garlic
production over the past four years, took
us on a tour of his garlic fields to demon-
strate the process of farming this aromatic
plant and the profit potential thereof.
Widely adored for its sharp aroma,
garlic is used mainly as flavouring and
seasoning for cooked dishes and stews.
Additionally, old-wives-tales attribute
some medicinal properties to garlic,
claiming that it heals anything from a com-
mon cold to inflammation. With this much
versatility, this bulb crop is bound to fare
very well in the South African market.
The majority of South African grown
garlic is sold to the fresh produce mar-
ket. Processed products such as garlic
spreads, chopped garlic and bottled gar-
lic in different forms are also sold, but to a
lesser extent.
Maree explains that like pecan nut and
Pieter Maree in his
garlic field between
Klerksdorp and
Ventersdorp.
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SENWES SCENARIO | MIND-SHIFT 2019
date farming, garlic farming requires lots
of patience as it has taken him four years
to build up his production to the point of
reasonable profit.
Maree advises that when planting gar-
lic, it is smarter to “start small and build
the seed up.” Meaning do not rush to fill a
large portion of land with garlic. It is better
to plant a few at a time and watch it grow
gradually.
Garlic thrives well in warm tempera-
tures. Long, sunny days encourage bulb
formation, especially during the growing
season. It is said that the perfect time to
begin planting garlic would be between
February and May. Be sure to plant in
well-drained, fertile soil with high organic
matter that is well-tilled before planting
to provide a loose growing bed for bulb
development. The soil determines how
much water and fertiliser are needed, but
on average, garlic can be successfully
grown using drip irrigation or a sprinkler
system. You will know when it is ready for
harvest when the leaf tops begin to dry
and lose their thickness. Garlic is hand-
picked and hung to dry completely before
being packaged and sold.
At the moment, the South African garlic
market is still relatively small, but growing
fast. The price is currently at approximate-
ly R53 per ton.