Dutch onion exports are quiet. Is it a prelude to what's coming or the calm before the storm? "It could go either way," says Mike de Koster of WDK Onions. "But we're currently too expensive for many European destinations."
"The last shipments are going to Africa, but in significantly lower volumes than in December. We're now waiting for the European sales. There's interest, but the onions are still too pricey. Somehow, we must find a middle ground, but for the time being, the demand is too small to realize that upturn in the short term," Mike explains.
Mike de Koster (right) with his father
"Quite a few inferior quality batches are going for sharper prices. That could drive down the price of good onions, though I'm not sure if that's genuinely happening. Good quality batches should sell well later in the season, but it's hard to estimate at what price, even if you deal with the product daily."
"Selling prices will have to rise, or purchase prices must drop; that's what's causing tension at present. There's not much price movement yet. The first cracks are showing," says De Koster. "But most of those batches have a limited shelf life and must be cleared soon. We're not trading red onions at all this year. Their quality issues and sky-high prices make it extremely risky."
"It being quiet now isn't unusual for this time of year. A seasoned grower recently told me we must just wait for the ABC period. Africa has stopped, and Berlin and Carnival are around the corner. It usually gets slightly busier after that," Mike concludes.
For more information:
Mike de Koster
WDK Onions BV
39 Langeweegje
4434 NC, Kwadendamme, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 113 644 270
Mob: +31 (0) 648 380 272
[email protected]
www.wdk-onions.nl