Articles
ALLIUM CROP SITUATION IN ARGENTINA
Article number
433_2
Pages
35 – 52
Language
Spanish
Abstract
Garlic and onion comprise about ninety-five percent of the Allium crops grown in Argentina.
The remaining five percent is grown with other minor species such as: shallot, bunching onion and leek.
The semiarid region concentrates the production of dry-bulbs, totalling about 28,000 ha per year of irrigated crops.
Onion and garlic reach 16,000 and 12,000 ha respectively.
Most of the production is used for fresh consumption, only 500 ha are destined to industry, specially for dehydration.
The main production provinces are from the west region, between 30° and 35°S (Mendoza and San Juan), the central region, between 27° and 31°S (Cordoba and Santiago del Estero) and from south region, between 39° to 42°2S (South of Buenos Aires and Rio Negro). More than 60% of the garlic production is exported, specially the late “White” and “Red” cultivars grown in cold areas.
Early garlic grown in subtropical areas, is mainly consumed by the local market.
About 80% of Argentine onion production goes to the national market for fresh consumption.
An estimation indicates that Argentina exports around 50,000 of onions.
Different photoperiodic regimes allow to grow short, intermediate and long-day cultivars.
The harvest time is very important because it allows to export to the EEC, USA, and other markets of the Northern Hemisphere.
The main advantage of the national production is the crop health conferred by the agroecological conditions of low humidity and high irradiation, These issues allow the production of seeds of excellent quality.
Poor post- harvest facilities are the main limitation.
Since 1980, exports have increased significantly, and they will continue to increase as long as the breeding programs develop new materials enlarging the offer period.
Nowadays, the international market represents more than 60 million dollars.
Scientific and technological research is concentrated at the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA), which accounts for more than 450 accessions of garlic and onion.
In addition the main National Universities, such as Cuyo, Cordoba and Sur lead projects on these species.
The remaining five percent is grown with other minor species such as: shallot, bunching onion and leek.
The semiarid region concentrates the production of dry-bulbs, totalling about 28,000 ha per year of irrigated crops.
Onion and garlic reach 16,000 and 12,000 ha respectively.
Most of the production is used for fresh consumption, only 500 ha are destined to industry, specially for dehydration.
The main production provinces are from the west region, between 30° and 35°S (Mendoza and San Juan), the central region, between 27° and 31°S (Cordoba and Santiago del Estero) and from south region, between 39° to 42°2S (South of Buenos Aires and Rio Negro). More than 60% of the garlic production is exported, specially the late “White” and “Red” cultivars grown in cold areas.
Early garlic grown in subtropical areas, is mainly consumed by the local market.
About 80% of Argentine onion production goes to the national market for fresh consumption.
An estimation indicates that Argentina exports around 50,000 of onions.
Different photoperiodic regimes allow to grow short, intermediate and long-day cultivars.
The harvest time is very important because it allows to export to the EEC, USA, and other markets of the Northern Hemisphere.
The main advantage of the national production is the crop health conferred by the agroecological conditions of low humidity and high irradiation, These issues allow the production of seeds of excellent quality.
Poor post- harvest facilities are the main limitation.
Since 1980, exports have increased significantly, and they will continue to increase as long as the breeding programs develop new materials enlarging the offer period.
Nowadays, the international market represents more than 60 million dollars.
Scientific and technological research is concentrated at the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA), which accounts for more than 450 accessions of garlic and onion.
In addition the main National Universities, such as Cuyo, Cordoba and Sur lead projects on these species.
Publication
Authors
J.L. Burba, C.R. Galmarini
Keywords
onion, garlic, seed production
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