Local onions are currently very expensive on the Belgian market. Onion peeling company Ongena is therefore looking to imported onions. "There are very few Dutch and Belgian onions and they're simply too pricey for us. We, thus, started looking further afield. We have to consider our customers' budgets too, so it's our job to find good solutions," says Joeri Ongena.
That is why they focus on imported onions. "We get these from basically everywhere at the moment. It just depends on where we can find them at nice prices. After all, you can't say, 'We'll stop for a few months.' Even with these high prices, you have to keep supplying clients. Our new slogan thus reads: 'Onions to the Extreme'."
Onions to the Extreme
That drive led this company to present a new identity too. "After ten years, it was time for renewal. These are challenging times for businesses; you must dare to keep innovating. We, therefore, chose a new logo, website, new, and overall look to show we always go to the extreme. We already do so with our cultivation, but now also our customer service," says Joeri.
"We never say no. Hence the slogan in these times of sky-high prices. Buyers know by now that we go to extremes for them in all areas, and they brainstorm with us. We always talk to clients and play open cards regarding problems or concerns, like now switching to cheaper imported onions so as not to pass on unnecessarily high prices."
On the demand side, Ongena still awaits nice, sunny weather. "People will always eat onions, which will keep running steadily throughout the year. But, the ever-popular peeled segment is presently a little quieter. Usually, if the weather cooperates around Easter, it's barbecue season, starting around mid-March. This year, however, the weather didn't play along, so it was somewhat quieter. It's still going to be a while, but temperatures are rising, and the more that happens, the busier we'll become," explains Joerie.
New build
Leading up to the new Belgian and Dutch onion harvest, the company has begun construction on a new warehouse. "We'll start using that in the summer, storing more onions and potatoes from our farm, too, at our own location. We want it operational by September when the storage onions arrive. It might be tight, but it's possible. We kept putting it off until the construction industry prices normalized. But, it seems we just have to accept that those will stay high. They're not falling, so why wait."
"As far as I'm concerned, the onion market price for growers can stay slightly higher. Extreme prices like last season aren't necessary now, though, because those aren't workable for us as a processor. But rock-bottom prices, or even dumping prices below the cost of cultivation, disrespect growers' hard work. After all, I'm still proudly a farmer's son at heart," Joerie concludes.
For more information:
Joeri Ongena
Uienschilbedrijf Ongena
22 Lede Street
9180, Moerbeke-Waas, BE
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ongena-uien.be