What is driving garlic oil prices amid the 2025 garlic supply crunch?

What is driving garlic oil prices amid the 2025 garlic supply crunch?
Garlic oil feedstock costs are climbing sharply as fresh garlic prices hit five-year highs. Shandong Jinxiang average prices reached 5.25 yuan per jin in late March, up 129% year-on-year, while national origin prices peaked at 5.45 yuan per jin. The bullish sentiment stems from winter freeze damage fears, record February exports of 154,200 tons, and tightening cold-storage inventories. February 2025 stock checks show only 1.239 million tons across seven major producing regions, down 74 million tons from the prior year. With projected March-May domestic demand of 690,000-920,000 tons plus exports of 460,000 tons, the safety margin is razor-thin at just 89,000 tons. This supply squeeze directly pressures garlic oil extraction margins and finished product pricing.