Industry summary 12,000,000 tons of Garlic is produced each year world wide Australia currently imports 10,000 tons of Garlic each year 95% of this is imported from China, but also from Argentina and Mexico amongst others Much of this product does not conform to the standards set locally for Australian growers in production and monitoring procedures Until recently little commercial Garlic had been produced in Australia With Australia s location it is possible to produce Garlic when the traditional growing areas in the Northern hemisphere are not in production
Business Summary AGP (Australian Garlic Producers) was founded by Nick Diamantopoulos and Steven Freckleton in 1998 to grow and market fresh Australian grown Garlic. AGP is a grower and marketer of Australian grown Garlic products AGP holds an exclusive overseas License for virus free seed AGP has developed a mechanised process for the Production, Grading, Processing and Marketing of Commercial Garlic for the Australian Market AGP contract the growing of Australian Garlic to suitable farmers and offer support and experience throughout the growing and harvesting process AGP comply with all Australian standards including WQA and SQF From an initial commercial crop in 2006 of 800 tons the target is to produce 5,000 tons by year 2010
Steven had been growing garlic for over 17 years but did not have access to clean & reliable seed Nick is an industrial chemist dedicated to the R&D of Australian garlic seed Nick identified virus free Garlic suitable for Australia Steven is responsible for the R&D in mechanization Nick and Steven formed AGP in 1998, to produce the highest possible quality garlic.
Growing regions are selected that meet the needs of the Garlic Potential growers are interviewed and their infrastructure and experience assessed Soil samples are taken and paddock history analysed Growing agreements are signed but AGP continue to supervise and offer management and technical advice
Virus Free Seed is imported from France the rights of which are licensed solely to AGP The Garlic Seed is acclimatised for a minimum of one season in Australia AGP owns the Garlic seed at all times
Based on overseas research, Steven designed and built a seed cracking machine This machine is capable of handling 10 tonnes per day This technology has the ability to handle the greater volumes planned for the next 5 years
AGP is responsible for the planting of the garlic seed in all regions Every 1 ton of garlic seed planted, has the potential to yield 10 tons of garlic bulbs All of the AGP crops are grown to WQA and SQF standards.
AGP has developed nurseries to produce virus free seed and develop the product for the future AGP is solely responsible for the development of the seed at all times AGP is in the process of increasing Garlic seed volumes to meet future demand AGP facilitate the transfer of French technology & French Government support
The French Government has granted AGP exclusive rights to virus free mother stock Garlic seed Within the Nursery there are 21 varieties & 79 clones Each variety can take up to 6 years to develop From these 21 varieties, AGP can develop an Australian certified seed program, that in time will replace the need to import seed from France
AGP fertilise and irrigate garlic crops as per AGP quality assurance standards AGP have developed the Australian Garlic Growing Manual which forms part of the overall W.Q.A & SQF food safety standards All potential sites must have the necessary infrastructure, suitable land and suitable crop rotation in place before Garlic can be grown
Each crop is regularly monitored by AGP management and technical staff AGP provide technical and practical recommendations for production of the crop Irrigation monitors and portable weather stations are linked to AGP computers at head office to track moisture levels and can be viewed on a lap top computer anywhere in the world by the AGP technical team
AGP garlic crops comply with all Australian Food Safety Protocols
Recent media articles have claimed that: In China, chemicals banned in Australia are still being used to grow garlic Chinese garlic is gamma irradiated to prevent sprouting The garlic is also sprayed with Maleic Hydrazide not generally used in Australia to extend shelf life Chinese and all other imported garlic is fumigated with Methyl Bromide by AQIS on arrival in Australia
AGP, in conjunction with Grimme in Germany, have developed a harvesting system to create a full bed garlic harvesting machine. Harvesting machinery will be fully in place for early 2008 harvesting and can be expanded as required to meet demand
When the garlic bulbs/plants are ready for harvest, the crop turns a dry yellow colour This mechanical harvester has enabled the formerly manual harvesting costs to be reduced from $1.00 per kg to just $0.10 per kg Such efficiencies have enabled AGP to scale up production and achieve greater economic benefits
Unlike other countries, the garlic is not field dried due to unpredictable summer rains AGP have developed a system to artificially circulate air to cure the garlic Bins, wrapped in plastic are stacked under portable fans located onto the top layer of bins which circulates the air The French producers have adopted a similar system
Packing is semi automated which delivers a high quality product Prior to packing the Garlic is detailed (top & tailing) whereby the tops and the roots are cut and removed This is an expensive part of the operation AGP is working on a mechanical solution for this process
Product Range: Loose Garlic graded by size and packed into 10kg boxes / crates Pre packed Baby Garlic 100g punnets, Garlic cloves, premium Garlic bulbs Garlic Plaits Garlic paste in jars and tubs for the consumer and commercial markets
AGP produced 800 tonnes last season Next seasons forecast is to produce 1,400 tonnes and 5,000 tonnes targeted for 2010 AGP will continue to expand and scale up production to full fill projected demand Australia has lacked the processes, quality seed base and infrastructure capacity to produce garlic in large quantities but AGP are now in a position to offer a serious alternative to imported Garlic A significant opportunity exists for AGP to supply Australian Supermarkets up to 5,000 tonnes by 2010. The Australian Garlic Industry has enormous potential for AGP to grow and supply premium quality for local and export markets