I noticed the same thing in Canada. Most places have raised their prices.
Then again, all seed prices have gotten crazy expensive, in general!
With garlic, there's always the plan to grow your own seed and make it worthwhile, but there are risks beyond our control as in your situation, or a bad winter, pests etc. One thing I think is very worthwhile is to always be growing up seed from bulbils on the side - doesn't take much space - and could save your bacon if the crop is damaged.
I'm looking to trial some more varieties to find a diverse group that do well in our climate - because with so much variation year to year, different garlics will do better or worse depending on the 'curse of the year'.
I found a source that's fairly close, with three varieties I'd like to try, so I am thinking to get just one bulb of each and then multiply the stock by growing them out and by producing some bulbils to grow out as well.
If you can find a seed source that's in your same zone, they'll be offering varieties already tested in your conditions. Some hardnecks want more of a winter than others, afaik.
As regards wet situations I can name a few that I've read about (cause we get it wet too!) which are 'more tolerant than most': Susan Delafield, Killarney Red, Phillips, Red Rezan are a few that I've heard it said iirc, but as always seeing is believing. Raise beds and ditch them, or grow in ridges, are techniques people use to ensure good drainage for their garlic.
