"More demand for onions from Africa due to Ramadan"

Growers are currently being given up to 25 cents for the onions. "But this doesn't really match the current bale price. Apparently buyers expect the the price to rise in time," concludes William Nannes of J.P. Beemsterboer Food Traders. "Estimating how much are left remains difficult, but the number on the free market is declining quickly. The onions aren't growing as quickly due to the cold spring and this is causing the necessary atmosphere in the market. And the biggest gambler traditionally remain the longest."

Beemsterboer purely focuses on the sales outside of Europe and according to William the demand isn't that big. "A lot went to Brazil, but that volume is now reducing. We are later in the season and there is the risk of wear and tear when the onions arrive there. There is also more of their own harvest arriving on the market. Africa, on the other hand, is demanding more. Ramadan is coming up and this creates demand in countries like Mauritania and Ivory Coast, even though there is enough domestic harvest in the surrounding countries."

"There has been a good mood among the farmers throughout the season. We knew that we would miss the sales to Russia, but you can't really count on Russia anyway. There has also been a lot of sales in Europe throughout the year. Apparently the harvests in Eastern Europe were disappointing, as there is quite a lot of demand and a large export. Thankfully we have a good quality of onions this year. Of course there is some wear and tear this time of year, but the colour is still looking good."

What has been typical for the last few years is the price increases in onions being initiated by the purchasing moment of the packagers, says William. "When there is a little more demand, all the packagers go to the growers and there are immediately forty commissioners walking around. When a grower gets a few in his yard, he's sorted. I'm looking forward to seeing how the market develops over the next few weeks. The market price is already at a quarter, but its becoming expensive for the African buyer. We are already supplying shallots as an alternative for the triples, as they are cheaper and better at the moment. If we go to 30 cents, I expect more alternatives on the market."

For more information:
William Nannes
J.P. Beemsterboer Food Traders
+31 226396408
wnannes@beemsterboer.nl
www.beemsterboer.nl