Garlic prices in China's Shandong Province have soared 40 times year-on-year since the A/H1N1 flu outbreak, China National Radio reported Monday.

Garlic farmers retreated from growing garlic as the price of garlic dropped to 0.08 yuan per kilogram last year. But now, garlic has sold for nearly 8 yuan (US$1.17) per kilogram.

The recent demand in garlic is reportedly due to the small production this year and its recommendation as an "anti-virus" plant by international medical experts.

(chinadaily.com.cn November 10, 2009)