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Australian garlic uprising

Australia's garlic industry is set to make a comeback following a very challenging few years, which has seen the value of the industry cut in half.

An influx of cheap garlic from China since 2005 has resulted in the value of Australia's garlic industry being chopped from $7 million to $3.5 million.

However, growing demand for Australian produce at supermarkets and farmers markets is driving an industry resurgence, the ABC reports.

The Garlic Industry Association is hoping to establish year-round supply of the bulb.

"We're trying to get our garlic growers together to form a co-operative like the onion board, and sown around Australia," said Leon Trembath, chairman of the Garlic Industry Association.

"If one grows out a season… then someone else picks it up, then there's a better guarantee you'll get more fresh garlic throughout Australia for the seasons.

"Anyone with a bit of dirt and a bit of interest can grow garlic."

While China produces 85 percent of the world's garlic, the Australian industry is skeptical of its quality and freshness.

 

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