Onion harvest 2016
About a third of the onions cultivated in Germany are grown in Lower Saxony. The largest areas are situated in Uetze, Peine, Uelzen and Dahlenburg. According to Michael Dunker the increase in acreage in the last years is due to the increased demand for regional products and due to the stable prices and profit. Furthermore: "Many large potato farmers started growing onions or have expanded their acreage. The change in regulations also can positively influence the onion cultivation in the coming years,” continues the consultant of the Chamber of Agriculture.
The onion harvest in Lower Saxony is in full swing. First, onion sets are harvested, they are susceptible to disease, and this early variety thrives best in regions with little onion cultivation. From mid-July to mid-August, the small onions, suitable for pickling are harvested. Immediately after the harvest, the onions with a diameter up to three centimeters are processed. These onion varieties can be cultivated in the same soil for about 10 years.
“Farmers in Lower Saxony try with the cultivation of a range of onions to reach the market early with fresh products. However, the yield of the early varieties is not as good, and the varieties are more vulnerable," explains Dunker. In addition, the region Pfalz always has a climatic advantage and is one step ahead of Lower Saxony. This is why farmers in Lower Saxony mainly produce the summer onion (90%), states the consultant.
This year the harvest of the summer onions starts at the end of August and farmers expect about 53,000 to 54,500 kg per hectare. This onion variety can be stored very well, and in storage spaces with low oxygen levels even until the next harvest. So the onion in Lower Saxony is always in season.
"It looks good, and we expect an average harvest of summer onions," states Dunker and he is also in hope of stable onion prices. The German Farmers Association (DBV) summarized important information about onions on their harvest card. These cards can be downloaded at www.bauernverband.de/erntekarteikarten.
Source: www.proplanta.de