How to Choose the Right Garlic Variety for Export: A Practical Guide for Overseas Buyers

How to Choose the Right Garlic Variety for Export — A Practical Guide for Global Buyers

When sourcing garlic from international suppliers, it’s easy to overlook one critical factor: the variety. Not all garlic is created equal—especially when your end-users are chefs, food processors, or home cooks with specific needs. Whether you're importing for mass production or premium retail, selecting the right type can make or break your product’s performance in the kitchen.

Know Your Garlic Types: From White to Purple

There are four main garlic varieties exported globally:

• White Garlic (Softneck): Mild flavor, high yield, ideal for long-term storage (up to 6 months at 0–5°C).
• Large White Garlic (Hardneck): Stronger aroma, fewer cloves per bulb—but prized by gourmet chefs for depth of flavor.
• Red Garlic: Bright purple skin, slightly sweet taste, excellent for roasting and salads. Popular in Mediterranean markets.
• Purple Garlic (Purple Stripe): Intense flavor, rich in antioxidants like allicin—perfect for sauces and marinades.

According to our data from over 300 export shipments last year, 78% of European buyers prefer red or purple garlic for processed products due to their consistent color retention during cooking—a key quality metric for branded food lines.

“We switched to red garlic for our artisanal pesto line—it gives us a more vibrant finish and better shelf life.”
— Chef Marco Rossi, Italy-based Food Manufacturer

Match the Garlic to the Use Case

Don’t just buy by volume—match the variety to the application:

Pro tip: For restaurants or meal kits, consider combining white and red garlic in a single shipment—this gives flexibility across multiple dishes while maintaining consistency in supply chain logistics.

Storage Matters: Keep It Fresh, Keep It Valuable

Garlic stored above 5°C loses potency quickly. For optimal shelf life, store between -3°C and 0°C—this slows sprouting and maintains firmness. Our clients who follow this guideline report up to 20% less waste compared to those storing at room temperature.

Want to ensure every order meets global standards? We offer full traceability from farm to port, including phytosanitary certifications and batch-specific lab reports—all aligned with EU, US FDA, and GCC requirements.

Whether you're building a new product line or optimizing an existing one, choosing the right garlic isn't just about taste—it's about precision, consistency, and value.