Bad start for NZ onion exports

The dry warm weather has been good to finish off the early New Zealand onion crop, but if the current hot weather continues it could effect the size profile and yield of the later crop.

Martin Tribe from New Zealand Growers said, "Quality at this stage looks okay, there are minor issues in the older fields but any other issues will now be minimised by the good weather."

He goes on to say that volumes may finish down on earlier predictions if the weather remains dry and warm but it is too early to give an accurate estimate at this point. Overall size will also be smaller than last season.

The New Zealand onion export season has just started but it is not looking too bright. "Markets are sluggish at the moment and the Euro as well as the Yen will impact returns for the growers. Overall potentially a difficult season ahead for the new Zealand onion growers to get viable returns."

Tribe remains optimistic though, "Situations unknown could give us a brake by April, maybe a poor start to planting in the northern hemisphere or a very cool spring would assist considerably."

For more information:
Martin Tribe
NZ Growers
Tel: +64 9 236 8372
Email: martin@nzgrowers.co.nz
www.nzgrowers.co.nz