After working in the AGF trade for 12 years, Derk van Stokkum switched to a logistics company for nine months last year. That didn't turn out as I he hoped. "I missed the onion business and especially the customer contact. There was only one thing to do: get back into the business!" Although it was not a long-held wish, he chose to start his own business: FreshDom. The name refers both to the Dom in his hometown of Utrecht and 'freedom'. Ten months on, he likes free enterprise very much. "It came my way, but I notice that this makes me very happy," he says.
Derk therefore had a flying start with an onion market that soared to great heights last season. "Last year, onions were in high demand and we were able to realize nice prices. Moreover, we were able to extend the Dutch season longer than expected. I was also able to sell onions from Egypt and New Zealand during the import season through a major importer."
Onions make up about 60-70% of the trade Derk conducts. "I also supply my customers with imported fruits from the Southern Hemisphere, such as grapes, citrus, strawberries, avocados, and pomegranates. I don't do direct imports myself, but by working with importers, a lot is possible. My focus is mainly on German wholesale markets, but I also supply packers for supermarkets and have several Scandinavian customers."
Photo right: Day of registration at KVK
First orders in the first week
"The start went much better than I had dared to dream. In the first week, I already had my first orders right away. It was special to see how my network of the past few years was immediately reflected. Both on the customer and supplier side, I experienced that people gave it to me. As a start-up company, you have no credit limit, yet I have the trust of many people."
Derk started from home but has just signed a contract to move into his own office in Utrecht this year. "At the moment, I have no ambition to hire staff. I like doing everything myself: from purchasing and sales to logistics and quality control. That way you keep everything in your own hands. Meanwhile, I have also started certification for both IFS and GlobalGAP COC."
He looks forward to the new onion season with confidence. "There is talk here and there of mildew problems, but fortunately there are plenty of good onions. Thanks to optical sorting, packers can deliver increasingly high-quality products. Although many European countries now have their onions, I still notice some demand left and right. We will probably not reach last year's prices, but I am confident of a stable season. Germany is growing more and more onions, but the country is still far from being self-sufficient. Moreover, the demand for overseas onions is decreasing, so people often end up with Dutch onions in addition to their crops anyway. I can provide that just fine."
For more information:
Derk van Stokkum
FreshDom
Hooft Graaflandstraat 27
3525 VM Utrecht
Mob: +31 6 13635857
[email protected]