Hit with a cold spell in an otherwise warm spring, the garlic output in Shandong Province's Jinxiang County has consequently been affected, which may impact global garlic prices.

With 40,000 hectares of garlic farms, Jinxiang is known as the "Home of Garlic." Nearly 2 million tons of garlic are traded there each year.

The harvesting period of garlic, which usually takes place in May, has been delayed until June this year due to the abnormal weather. One local farmer complained that his garlic output could face a 20 percent decrease.

The domestic price of garlic has been rising in recent years and this year it is expected to reach a new high. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that in some cities, the price of garlic has substantially risen from 7.5 yuan/kg(US$1.09/kg) to 20 yuan/kg(US$2.92/kg) since February. An official from Jinxiang attributed it to the declining output, rising demand and increasing export of garlic.

Garlic in Jinxiang has been exported to more than 150 countries and regions and accounts for about 70 percent of the nation's total garlic exports.