“We are not creating trade by dropping onion prices”

The Dutch onion trade is currently dealing with a shortage in demand. “We are and remain a gap-filler. When there are no such gaps, we have a problem. That is nothing new, we will just have to remain calm. There just is no demand at the moment, and we will not create trade by dropping prices,” says exporter Gerard Hoekman from Mulder Onions from Kerkrade, the Netherlands.

Gerard (right) with his colleagues Rene and Tim during Fruit Logistica

“Now that we have lost Africa, we miss out on a buyer that bought 10,000 tonnes per week. That cannot just be absorbed. We ship some small cargoes to the Middle East, but that is not really anything to write home about either. Brazil has plenty of domestic onions, and Germany and Austria are in the way of Eastern Europe. Our neighbouring countries have plenty of onions, and yields in those countries are high. Because of this, prices remain under pressure. The bale prices are currently at a level of about 9 cent for medium sizes and 10 cent for large sizes,” Gerard continues.

“Nowadays people are quick to point at the second, lesser, half of the season, but last year we did really well. We had previous years with these low prices. It is too early to judge whether the year will turn out all right. I would sooner see possibilities with red than with yellow onions. In week 13, the first onions from New Zealand will be arriving again. Fortunately we will then have good quality onions at our disposal, although they sometimes contain a batch or two that should not be sent on long voyages.”

For more information:
Mulder Onions BV
Hagenroderstraat 32
6464 CP Kerkrade, the Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)45 56 78 700
Fax: +31 (0)45 56 78 708
gerard@mulder-onions.com
www.mulder-onions.com