One of the major cash crop in Ilocos Norte. Garlic is a versatile commodity and indispensable ingredients in sautés. Its bulb, a good source of calcium, phosphorus and potassium is used as condiment in many food preparations. The leaves, which contain fair amounts of vitamins A and C and some proteins, can be cooked and eaten as an ordinary vegetable. Garlic has also therapeutic and healing properties. Drug and chemical companies turn garlic into various medicinal preparations.

Production Situation

• Ilocos Norte is the major producer of garlic in the country accounting to 65-69% of the national output annually.
• This crop can be grown from October to December and harvested during the months of February to April.
• Peak of harvesting is from February to March

UTILIZATION

• Per capita consumption of garlic is 0.4 kg per year

Varieties

• Of the many varieties of garlic in the province Ilocos White is the most popular. Other variety being grown is the Ilocos Pink.
• The other varieties include Nueva Ecija Pink & White, Batanes White and Batangas White & Brown.

Major Garlic Producing Municipalities

Distribution and Marketing Situation

• Ilocos Garlic is marketed in Manila , Visayas, Mindanao , Bulacan and other neighboring provinces.
• Price of garlic is relatively low in the locality.
• One cause of which is the influx of garlic from the other countries. The imported garlic is being priced lower than Ilocos Garlic, hence the irregularity of price.

Cost and Return Analysis

The estimated cost of production of garlic averaged at P79,810 per hectare. Fifty eight percent (58%) of this goes to planting materials, while 30 percent is spent in labor. From an average yield of 5.3 tons per hectare (with the application of GA3-growth hormone) and at P40.00 per kg, gross income would be P212,000. Simply, P132,190 net income per hectare is being garnered by the producer.