In recent weeks, export volumes of Dutch onions have yielded good figures. "Exports are doing very well. Africa took the lead and the Far East followed closely as did traditional European destinations," says Gerard Hoekman of the Dutch company Mulder Onions.
Surprised that also India, giant in the production of onions, bought Dutch onions. "India is still buying, but we are currently busier to load volumes and orders than to target new orders. This not only applies to India, but to the entire region. In India there are more and more local products available and the shortage of onions in the region it will be definitively resolved at the end of January," the exporter anticipates.
Gerard Hoekman (right) with colleague Tim van Haandel
"The question is now of course, how exports will develop in the second half of the season. Exports to Africa will continue in the coming weeks. Hopefully, African countries will issue new licenses and we can continue sending substantial volumes in January. Seeing the good quantities of onions that have already been shipped, we certainly should not end the season too soon."
"Record sales in recent weeks are mainly due to the additional demand for red onions. During these weeks, more red onions have been proportionally dispatched compared to other years," Gerard says. "The quality of onions varies a lot and is very uneven especially for red onions, but a good sorting job for yellow onions is also needed. Anyway, the overall quality is not bad."
Prices per bale are, according to Gerard, at a stable level. For example, the price of the average sizes of yellow onions is around 21 cents and the price of red onions is around 35/36 cents. "I hope we can keep prices stable. In any case, I don't think it's wise to raise prices if some destinations disappear..."
For more information:
Mulder Onions BV
Hagenroderstraat 32
6464 CP, Kerkrade
Netherlands
T: +31 (0)45 5678700
F: +31 (0)45 5678708
gerard@mulder-onions.com
www.mulder-onions.com