Strong demand for garlic in China drives up local prices
By Zhao Quan Yin & Dylan Loh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 November 2009 1838 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Strong demand for garlic in China has driven up local prices of the popular seasoning ingredient.

NTUC FairPrice supermarkets import garlic from China. Over the past four months, prices have risen by about 50 per cent to S$1.45 per 500 grams.

Strong demand for garlic in China is linked to the belief that consuming it can help protect one against the H1N1 flu virus.

Some practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have said that garlic, when eaten in moderation, can help fend off H1N1 due to its medicinal properties.

Not all doctors, however, agree on this matter and vaccination is recommended to fight against the virus.


- CNA/so