Did you know that China is the world's biggest producer of garlic (more than 75% of the world's stock) and that garlic wholesale prices have shot up over 605% in just the past year, blowing such widely regarded commodities such as crude and gold clean out of the water? A garlic bubble was created in China due to a bad combination of the tailing global economy, a poor harvest season in 2008, and the swine flu. The swine flu? Yes you heard me right. After a poor 2008 season, Chinese garlic farmer cut back their planting fields by as much as 50%, anticpating another slow season with the economy still in the throes of struggle. But when the swine flu epidemic began, the Chinese considered garlic's anti-biotic properties as a way to guard against the big Oink sickness. The Chinese began scooping up garlic at record prices and the entire country actually sold out of garlic in May. A country - sold out! The mad dash for garli also spiked US profits, as garlic farmers who typically sell more potent garlic than the Chinese, saw their crop appreciate more than 70%. Imagine that, making millions on garlic. I'd take that, even with the stinky breath.
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