China grows 75 per cent of the world's garlic, but Australian farmers are offering a homegrown alternative to the cheaper, imported bulbs.
And it's a potentially healthier alternative, as all imported garlic has to be fumigated to reduce the risk of bringing in pests and pathogens.
When paramedic Richard Cawley and his teacher-aide wife Sharon were looking for a crop to grow on their ex-dairy, bean, and banana farm at Como near Kin Kin, they settled on Aussie Purple garlic.
With the help of family and friends they founded Noosa Hinterland Garlic seven years ago, and harvested 7,000 bulbs this year.
A visit to their drying shed is a feast for the senses.
Ropes loaded with aromatic garlic stems hang from the roof, ready to be braided to sell at local markets.
"I call it the garlic forest. A lot of Christmas presents are going out as braids, they store a lot longer," Ms Cawley said.
"It's just wonderful how everyone supports us, and the general feedback is just how much flavour and moistness there is in the garlic, which they don't get at the shops from the imported stuff."
They charge $30 a kilogram, or $20 a braid.
"We feel very happy to supply affordable local produce to our local community and that's why we're doing it really," Mr Cawley said.
Fancy and functional
A fancy but functional way to add value to a boutique garlic crop, the braiding process is a two-person job.
First, three stems are tied together with twine. Others are woven in one at a time. This year the Cawleys incorporated 10 bulbs in each braid.
"It's such an Italian country kitchen look. The braids are the most popular, I think people like to see them hanging in the kitchen," Mr Cawley said.
"A lot of people don't like cutting the bulbs off because they look so good. They don't want to use them. But I keep encouraging them to eat it because it tastes as good as it looks."
Their business began by sowing cloves from a single braid, purchased from another Australian grower.
The current crop was planted in April 2021 and harvested in August this year. For the first time the couple used overhead irrigation and a biodegradable weed mat that cut down their work over winter.
Australian Garlic Industry Association chair, John Oliff, said the unique fresh flavours of cultivars grown in Australia couldn't be compared to imported garlic which has travelled long distances and been fumigated to try to control pests and pathogens.
"Imported garlic is treated with methyl bromide. And probably, or maybe, sprayed with [growth] inhibitors to extend the shelf life," Mr Oliff said.
Don't plant imported garlic
Imported bulbs should never be planted out because of the risk of spreading exotic diseases.
Garlic is particularly susceptible because it does not go through the seed stage that helps plants clean themselves of viruses.
"There have been a number of studies over the years that have concluded that many viruses are coming over in imported garlic, including ones that are unknown in Australia," Mr Oliff said.
"Replanting imported garlic provides the vector for these viruses and diseases to enter into our systems over here."
Mr Oliff said 2022 had been challenging for many Australian growers with secondary sprouting and wet conditions.
"Paddocks have been flooded and grounds inundated," he said.
"Garlic that's too wet to harvest can't get out of the ground."
