Indonesia to Burn Garlic

Tons of garlic will soon be set ablaze in an effort to stop illegal trafficking in the pungent bulbs.

Reflecting the government’s concern about the increasing amounts of illegal garlic flooding the market, President Suharto on Thursday ordered the destruction of smuggled garlic.

Indonesia produces about 53,000 tons of garlic a year and consumes about 63,000 tons annually, according to Wardoyo, a junior minister for development of food products. The government fears the illegal garlic will bring down the price of local garlic.