I assume it was in Italy, presumably since they were sold at an outdoor market. I can't be sure though.
This is not the article I was looking for but it references the same idea ( "In Europe, smuggling garlic in from China is a big business, often wreaking havoc on the market price of garlic.")
"Chinese Garlic, and Why the Italians Aren't Buying It"
http://grandvoyageitaly.weebly.com/t...rent-buying-it
Makes me wonder though; what do you consider "so expensive "? I was thinking the sign in the picture reads 1.5 euro per litre, but I think it meant each. I didn't care!