The first herring of the season traditionally causes the demand for chopped onions to go through the roof. "At Flag Day, we can go full throttle; our machine will be running 24 hours a day," says Raymond Mahieu. "The period for herring is a bit shorter than before, though. Previously, it was often as much as five or six weeks. Now it really peaks in the first two or three weeks."
Another shift is that the 25g bags that used to be booming in the herring season are increasingly being traded in for larger units. "For instance, many fish processors are working with larger packs in filling systems, probably to reduce plastic usage. But the herring is good, and the onions are through the roof as ever, especially when the big fish suppliers are also running promotions at supermarkets. Fortunately, the availability of Dutch onions is not a problem. The most important thing for our customers in this busy time is delivery reliability and quality!"
According to Raymond, the herring season is mainly a Dutch thing. "Additionally, we will still reach a bit of Belgium and the Ruhr area, but that's where it ends." Even outside the herring season, Smit's Onions cannot complain about demand. "Growth is good. The staff shortage is the biggest challenge facing the catering industry and this is boosting demand for convenience products enormously. The classic onion rings and cubes are still favourites, but in the higher segment we are also seeing a decent growth in demand for diced shallots."
Earlier this year, Smits Onions announced the merger with Mol Fresh Food out of Putten, making the cooperating companies market leaders as suppliers of sliced onions for industry, AGF, fish and foodservice. "We are now looking for synergy both in procurement, customers and logistics and we are already reaping the first benefits of this. For example, we already have a daily shuttle service running between Putten and The Hague," Raymond says, enthusiastically.
For more information:
Raymond Mahieu
Smit's Onions
Elbe 33 - 37
2491 BT The Hague
Tel: +31 (0)70 3271061
[email protected]
www.smitsuien.nl