Waterman Onions celebrated its 25th anniversary with staff, friends, and family this week. "We celebrated all year long," says Wim Waterman with a smile.
The Dutch onion sector has more milestones to celebrate. Prices are at a record high for this time of year. "The sentiment is slightly different because we are coming off even higher prices, but the price is still higher than last year around this time. Everyone knows that, but not everyone realizes it. That's why current market sentiment sometimes seems like onions are cheap."
"Red onions are all pricey, but their sizing is trickier than the yellow ones. Large red onions sell just fine, but that's harder with the smaller ones. That balance is better with yellow onions because you can get rid of the small ones, no problem. In other years, destinations in Asia like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh wanted small red onions, but those sales lag somewhat now," Wim explains.
"Despite the high prices, the market offers ample perspective, and globally, demand exceeds supply. That's evident because onions can go anywhere and there are no large surpluses anywhere. Brazil has a gap, in Africa the docks aren't full and onions go to Eastern Europe, too. Also, producing countries like India and Egypt have export restrictions, which is why prices are this high."
"Onion prices are quite stable, although the inferior quality batches are causing some pressure. The growing season's weather and all the irrigation resulted in increased internal defects. We, as graders, thus, have more work, and the grading is more challenging. That keeps everyone nice and busy, even though we don't have record exports," Wim concludes.
For more information:
Wim Waterman
Waterman Onions
12 Hannie Schaftweg
8304 AR, Emmeloord, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 527 617 496
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.waterman-onions.nl