Which way is the onion market going?

In the last few weeks a huge amount of Dutch onions have been exported to Africa. "I think that Africa is a little higher now due to all the onions that have gone that way," Wim Moerdijk jokes from a sorting and packing station in Monie, Nieuwdorp. "Everything is set and done. The expectation now is that a calm week will follow, but the question is how to do that. To take the correct steps in this calm week will be an art from. We were able to make a slightly higher price on the onions for the last few weeks because of all the demand coming out of Africa. Only red onions are doing bad now because the Egyptians are still in the way."

"Due to the lower prices and good quality a huge amount has been exported in the last couple weeks. The low price has been good for us, and actually a whole year with lower prices and good quality would be good for the sector. For a low price we could get rid of a lot of onions, but if the price goes up a little we could be left with too many onions," says Wim.

"For the growers especially the margins are under pressure right now. They are currently supplying below cost. For the trade sector there is a little bit more room, but I fear that we will end up like last year with a huge sorting capacity. I personally find it difficult to say which way the market will go."

For more information:
Monie Nieuwdorp
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4455 TK Nieuwdorp
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www.monie.nl