The New Zealand onion season started for Van der Lans last week. “The growing season went well in both New Zealand and Tasmania. Somewhat larger onions are expected because of slightly more rain than usual, and fewer small triplets and 40/60 sizes will come to Europe,” Jaap de Ruijg, from Van der Lans International, expects.
“The climatological circumstances are ideal in the southern hemisphere during the harvesting period. Because of the predominating wind, strong sunshine and clean air (no pollution), the onions can dry well in the fields, and they can be made ready for export without mechanical fireworks,” Jaap continues.
Despite the large harvest in Europe, there is still room for high-quality onions from New Zealand and Tasmania this year, according to Jaap. “Because of the large amount of European onions, we planned the supply peak from the southern hemisphere for the mid-late season. The New Zealand and Tasmanian onions are available for all European packing stations, in large bales of about 1,300 kilograms. The logistical handling is done by our own team of employees.”
Packaged fresh
The storage and transfer and quality control takes place at Jonika in Oostdijk. “By using this specialised sorting company, we are capable of flexibly and quickly meeting the wishes of our customers. This means that in addition to supplying packing stations, we are personally capable of supplying every desired small packaging. For our buyers at wholesaler’s markets we have a special range, for which we can offer ‘packaged fresh’ and in the right packaging. For example, in bags of 5, 10 and 25 kilograms, and in EPS crates. Because we do our own packing, the best quality is guaranteed,” Jaap emphasises.
“Sizing will be mostly 45/55, 50/60, 55/65 and 80/100. Red onions from New Zealand and Tasmania will be expected in calendar week 13. Just as with yellow onions, the harvest will be larger. Available sizes will primarily be 40/50, 40/60, 45/65, 50/70, 70/80, and the peak will be the 50/70 size. In recent years, experience has taught us that the 10 mm sorting, in both yellow and red, looks more homogeneous and therefore more attractive in small packaging. From the end of May to the beginning of August we will be switching to the import of red onions from Egypt.”
White onions from Australia will be expected as of week 14. This year, to guarantee an even higher quality, we will transport the onions of size 50/60 mm exclusively in bins, wooden crates with a capacity of about 600 kilograms, from Australia to the Netherlands. The bin has the advantage that during transport the onions will be better aired, which has been standard for red onions for years already, and reduces the risk of damages for the small packaging. The sizes 60/70 and 60/80 will be packaged in original bound bags of 10 kilograms. Because of the size of the onions, they will be better aired. The round, perfectly ripened and truly white onions from Australia are popular with specialised sorting companies each year.
Chilean onions
“From mid-April, when temperatures are a bit higher, we will be able to offer Chilean onions in sizes 1, 2, 3 and 4A. The harvest in Spain was large, but shelf life of these onions quickly decreases in spring. The harvest reports we received from our shipping agents are cause for positivity as regards quality. Naturally, we also have Dutch onions available twelve months of the year, in addition to overseas onions. Yellow and red onions in all desired packagings and sizes. All GlobalGAP certified, naturally, and of excellent quality this season,” Jaap concludes. For more information:
Jaap de Ruijg
Van der Lans International
Tel: +31(35) 642 26 22
jaap@vanderlans.com
www.vanderlans.com