Customs authorities on Monday have heightened surveillance at border checkpoints following the interception of a significant quantity of Chinese garlic being smuggled into India. According to a report by Economic Times, customs officials have deployed sniffer dogs and notified local intelligence at distribution centers and warehouses in a bid to thwart the smuggling of Chinese garlic from Nepal and Bangladesh borders.
Concerns regarding the presence of fungus and pesticides in Chinese garlic have prompted the Indian government to impose a ban on its import since 2014. Recent smuggling incidents have been observed predominantly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and North-Eastern states, where Chinese garlic is smuggled via Nepal.
Last month, customs officials seized a consignment of 64,000 kg of Chinese garlic valued at Rs 1.35 crore at the Sikta land customs post. The surge in smuggling activities can be attributed to rising garlic prices in the domestic market and increased exports.
Industry experts estimate the current stock of Chinese garlic in India to be around 1,000 to 1,200 tonnes, with prices nearly doubling to ₹450-500 per kg since November last year. Factors contributing to the price hike include crop losses and delays in sowing, prompting local traders to raise concerns with the government regarding the influx of Chinese garlic.
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Despite being major garlic producers globally, India’s garlic exports have gained traction, particularly amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, with significant demand from regions such as America, West Asia, Brazil, and Asian countries. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported 57,346 tonnes of garlic valued at ₹246 crore.
