As in previous years, the second half of the Dutch onion export season started somewhat quietly. But, according to Rinus Wisse of Wiscomex, there is no reason to get nervous. "The advantage is that we had good exports up to week 52. The first three weeks of this year also went well," he says.
"Based on a total harvest of 1.35 million tons, export weeks must average 20,000 to 22,000 tons. At a glance, that seems slightly more than we can handle because, in the busiest years, we exported an average of 19,000 tons. These, however, aren't alarming volumes."
"Exports slowed somewhat every week now, so you might be left with some surplus in the last ten weeks of the season. But I'm confident that prices can be more-or-less maintained at the current level of €0.16 to €0.22, varying from triplets to supers. Quality-wise, I'm not at all disappointed with the onions," says Rinus.
Eid-al-fitr might revive situation
"The various market prospects look good, too. For example, all of Eastern Europe is expected to enter the market, especially with these prices. We also expected Spain, and there may be another upswing due to Eid-al-Fitr. The advantage is that Dutch onions are attractive to many countries at these prices. You can serve markets like Ivory Coast longer than in an expensive year."
"Neither have many exporters taken major positions, and Poland also keeps taking onions. That means there's a market limit. Plus, places like Austria are running low," Rinus continues. He does see a growing market imbalance, with larger companies taking up more and more market share. That means the second half of the season is always different.
Besides the abundance of yellow onions, the red onion market is good, too. "The red onion market is noticeably increasingly being controlled. Most independent packers aren't active in that market, which makes it somewhat easier for those players to act in unison." Pink onions also sold well this season. "We'd sold most of those by mid-January. There was good demand from African countries, as well as the United Kingdom. Fortunately, onions were quite expensive in India, so the pink ones – which were priced between yellow and red onions – were very popular," Rinus concludes.
Voor meer informatie:
Rinus Wisse
Wiscomex
Schoorkenszandweg 23b
4431 NC 's-Gravenpolder
rinus@wiscomex.com
www.wiscomex.com