India's Export of Garlic: A Journey to International Markets
The versatile and essential ingredient garlic has become a significant export from India. Garlic is used in cuisines all over the world. India is now one of the world’s top exporters of garlic due to the industry’s rapid rise in recent years.
The Rise of Garlic Export from India
With the liberalization of its agriculture and trade policies in the 1990s, India started on its path to becoming a significant garlic exporter. Since then, the nation’s capacity for exporting and producing garlic has constantly grown. This rise has been caused by various factors, including:
1. Abundant Garlic Production: India boasts a favorable climate for garlic cultivation, with various regions across the country producing high-quality garlic. States like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan significantly contribute to India’s garlic production.
2. Varietal Diversity: India cultivates a wide range of garlic varieties, catering to diverse tastes and preferences in international markets. This diversity has helped India gain a competitive edge.
3. Quality Assurance: Garlic exporters in India have adopted modern agricultural practices and stringent quality control measures to ensure that their produce meets international standards. It enhanced the reputation of Indian garlic in global markets.
Health Benefits
Garlic is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, and manganese. It also contains compounds such as allicin, alliin, and sulfur, which are responsible for its many health benefits. Some of the benefits of garlic include
May help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease
May have anticancer properties and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer
May help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of infections
May have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body
May improve cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of stroke
Nutritional Values
Nutritional values per 100g of raw garlic
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 149 |
| Carbohydrates | 33.06g |
| Protein | 6.36g |
| Fat | 0.5g |
| Fiber | 2.1g |
| Vitamin C | 31.2mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.235mg |
| Selenium | 14.2mcg |
| Manganese | 1.672mg |
| Calcium | 181mg |
| Iron | 1.7mg |
| Phosphorus | 153mg |
| Potassium | 401mg |