Enza Zaden New Zealand bred pink onion for Chinese market

Martyn Callaghan works as an onion breeder at Enza Zaden New Zealand. One of the flagship varieties developed there is the pink onion that has been developed, in principle, for the Chinese market, but with may be trialled in the Netherlands. "Since the window for New Zealand onions in Europe and the United Kingdom is gradually becoming smaller, New Zealand's sector will become increasingly dependent on exports to Asia."

"The Chinese market is very interesting for us. There is currently no trade of New Zealand onions with China, but it is possible for New Zealand to import Chinese onions. Soon, the sector hopes to negotiate the elimination of the non-tariff barriers," explains Martyn. "China consumes half a million tonnes of onions a week, so it could absorb the entire Dutch production in just two weeks. With New Zealand’s entire onion production, we could feed China for only three days!"

"The Chinese market currently consists of 80% yellow onions, 15% red and pink onions and 5% white onions. The yellow onions are often exported to Japan, Vietnam and other South East Asian countries. The onion marketing chain in China is mainly made up of traders who buy the onions directly from the growers. The onions are still sold on the Farmers Markets. Supermarkets have a limited market share, but also premium prices," states Martyn.

"White onions are grown mainly in North West China and are mainly processed into powder and flakes. The area around Pingdu, in the Shandong province, is specialised in the export of yellow onions to Japan. For Japan, it is common for Chinese onions to be peeled. Alibaba, the world's largest online retailer, shows that the exporters are mainly based in Shandong, but some of the onions exported from Shandong may have actually been grown in northern China," explains the breeder.

In the local Chinese market, there is a preference for pink onions with a soft, sweet taste. These are processed into salads. For example, a famous salad is a combination of onions and black mushrooms. The local pink Chinese onions have a diameter of 80-90 mm and weigh between 350 and 450 grams. They are slightly paler than the Crimsun onion and have a flat spherical shape. Our newest pink onion has been developed for the Chinese market, but the first exports, to take place next year, will be made to Japan," concluded Martyn.

mrdna@ps.gen.nz