"Year-round supply of sweet onions no easy feat"

Where many big onion exporters focus purely on mass markets, TOP Onions from ’s-Gravenpolder doesn’t shy away from the niche segments. In addition to red and yellow onions, shallots, fried onions and onion oil, the company also supplies year-round sweet onions.

"We supply sweet onions all year, but since a few years, we import the sweet onions directly and so we have a better grip on the quality. It’s not easy to provide year-round. Sometimes it takes quite an investment, but it did allow us to become a reliable partner for the retail," says Rinus Wisse, who is responsible for sales.

Europe
TOP delivers the sweet onions to customers throughout Europe. "It’s a small product, especially when you compare it with the yellow onion. But more and more supermarkets include it in their stock. Sweet onions are particularly valued by the consumers because of its pleasant taste and the excellent results when baking and roasting," says Rinus.

In Northwest Europe, growing sweet onions is nearly impossible "So we buy sweet onions from Spain, but the bulk comes from South America. The areas where these sweet onions are grown, all meet the specific characteristics: clean irrigation water, fertile soil with low sulfur content, and the special climate which is present only in those countries. Days are short and warm and the nights are long and cold, ideal for the formation of sugars."

Special
The fact that more and more product is sold through retail, offers an opportunity for the sustained sales of sweet onions. Rinus: "Our customers are predominantly people who want to cook something special and who like spending time in the kitchen. That’s why the holidays are such a good time for us. We offer the sweet onions in every conceivable package, from small packages to a larger box."

The company’s versatility when it comes to the onions is, according to the seller, highly appreciated by customers. "In that sense, we are a unique company. We do not necessarily have to be the biggest, but serving our customers, focusing on all continents except Antarctica, are extremely important to our efforts."

More information:
TOP Onions
Rinus Wisse
Baarlandsezandweg 5
4431 NJ 's Gravenpolder
T: +31 113 315 050
E: info@toponions.com
W: www.toponions.com