The export of onions from New Zealand has become a lot more stable during the last few years and growers are more and more emphatically in control. The result is amongst others, a better planning and spreading of risk. This is clear from the Onion Magazine of De Groot & Slot. More than 75% of the onions are being exported in the meantime by only six exporters. One of the larger growers with an interest in exporter Harvest Fresh is Apatu Farms Ltd.
Shortly after Apatu Farms had increased the production the Japanese market was flooded with an offer of cheap onions from China. "Almost literally the Japanese market disappeared from the one day to the next," Mark Apatu, son of the owner Ken Apatu, explains.
Up to that time Apatu Farms was very successful in growing onions of high quality with good yields as well. Onions smaller than 75 mm were exported successfully. Therefore the company could develop new markets in Asia. "Especially there were opportunities for red onions. We were aiming to grow 2,000 tons of red onions of the American long day cultivation for Europe. That product is still one of our larger successes."
Today Apatu Farms grow 16,000 tons of onions, finding their markets all over the world. Mark: "Our key to success on the market depends on the timing of our production, which is attuned to a constantly repeating demand."
Favourable climate
The dry and temperate climate round Hawkes Bay is exceptionally suited for growing onions. The warm spring followed by relatively warm summers normally result in good quality onions and a high yield. The plants are checked by field specialists of Apatu Farms, but weekly also by independent specialists, who concentrate on disease and plagues. The most important plagues for onions in this area are trips, false mildew and depending on the season black fungus.
The cultivation
Whilst decreasing traces of disease in the field has a high priority, each plant has the opportunity to excel in quality and yield. The yields in the long term are being used as a norm, knowing that thinking short term will result in higher expenses long term, both in harvesting, picking and processing of onions.
Onions are normally uprooted when 70-90% of the leaf has been discarded. For that
uprooting machines of the Dutch brand Simon are used. Mark Apatu: "We uproot the onions early to maximise the quality of the skin. Yield is indeed smaller, but that loss is more than compensated by the quality."
Before harvesting the onions are dryed in the field for two weeks. Harvesting is done with American built TopAir harvesters, which cut away the leaves. The onions are moved by bulk lorries to the packing station, where they are transferred to wooden cases of one cubic metre. The onions are stored in this way for a maximum of two weeks to dry further in the surrounding air. After that they are packed and shipped.
Before harvesting the onions are dryed in the field for two weeks. Harvesting is done with American built TopAir harvesters, which cut away the leaves. The onions are moved by bulk lorries to the packing station, where they are transferred to wooden cases of one cubic metre. The onions are stored in this way for a maximum of two weeks to dry further in the surrounding air. After that they are packed and shipped.
Packing
Packing is done with state of the art facilities, in a mix of 20 kg bags, bigbags and
cubic metre cases for export. The onions go to Germany, the Netherlands, France and Southeast-Asian countries. The red onions are transported in cooled containers in order to endure the voyage to Europe of five to six weeks. The yellow onions are transported in ventilated containers. Although more and more yellow onions are transported in reefers, which improves the return in Europe. Mark Apatu: "The average yield sold is 54 tons/HA. 2012 was a top year for Apatu Farms with a yield of 62 tons/HA."
More influence grower
More influence grower
During the last period the export of onions has consolidated in New Zealand. Trading is controlled more or less by the growers. More than 75% of New Zealand onions are traded by only six exporters. Up to July only one of these six exporters, Harvest Fresh, was not controlled by growers. That development has a number of advantages:
1. It supports the wish to supply volume and to react to the needs of
the market
2. Uncertainty in the market means that growers should be closer to
the consumers in order to understand their requirements
3. It means better planning for the selling of volumes decreasing market
risks for the grower
4. It supplies an extra financial reward in a competitive market
5. Marketing activities are to run parallel to the requirements of the
consumer and not be initiated from the perspective of the grower.
Mark Apatu is careful about price expectations this season, but is full of confidence for the future. "We have a product of very high quality, also a product the consumers can trust. This is because of our strict quality controls and sustainable approach of the cultivation in combination with our reliable and timely service this results in our strong position in the market."
Source: Uien Magazine, De Groot & Slot
