Balle Bros. are experiencing a more normal growing season in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand compared to the last 2 years. Sufficient rain has set up the early onion crops for a good finish.
“Since the end of December, the early export varieties have been undercut and lifted to dry in the fields. Good conditions are forecast through to the middle of January, so this will give us a good start to the harvest and we expect good volumes to be available for shipping to all markets from February onwards,” explains Simon Vale from Balle Bros.
“However, the predicted El Nino weather pattern looks like it is getting established, so this could affect yields of the later maturing varieties. As always, our fingers are crossed for a good finish to harvest to let us fill the sheds with good quality onions.”
Predicted shortages and earlier finishing of the local crop in Europe and North Asia means that NZ onions are once again going to be in demand for the 2024 export season.
Although demand is expected to be good the Red Sea issues will significantly affect shipping from down under to Europe, with more than 2/3rds of onions from New Zealand and Australia to Europe normally going via Asia then the Suez. Shipping lines diverting round the Cape of Good Hope are adding extra surcharges of about US$1,500 per container and also adding 12-14 days to the voyage time.
“We are hopeful that, within Q1 of 2024, the New Zealand government ratifies the recently negotiated Free Trade Agreement with the EU. Once ratified the import duty for NZ onions will reduce from 9.6% to zero. Thereby putting us on a level playing field with other exporting countries from South America and Africa.”
Despite the possible challenges with weather and shipping, Balle Bros. are confident of being able to supply good quality onions to their many markets in Europe and Asia.
For more information:
Simon Vale
Balle Bros. Exports Ltd.
Tel: + 64 9 2370898
Email: [email protected]
www.ballebros.co.nz