The Dutch onion market isn't doing so well at the moment. That's according to Tjerk Nagel of Konaxx Onions. This is an onion sorting and packing company. "The market is very average," he says. "In some instances, there's poor quality. The market is still dealing with coronavirus-related issues. The wet autumn also means harvesting is sporadic. Separately, all these factors are disastrous. But, together, they are worse still."
"Trade is currently very quiet. There's simply not enough happening. Most onions are going to West Africa. But, clients who usually need, for example, eight containers, were ordering ten. Now, it's six. I think the coronavirus pandemic is blocking the flow of money. That makes for tough trading. The growing season was, of course, volatile too. That's reflected in the quality. Irrigating with trench water on some lots seems to have been a source of diseases and fungi."
"There are still a lot of onion sets on the market. That's putting pressure on the seed onion market. Here, in the north of the Netherlands, we still have good onion sets. But, I hear there are many problematic batches in the south. You can buy onions from farmers for €0.08 or €0.09. So, logically, bales prices are under pressure. We'll not get top yields this year either. Although, it's certainly not a failed crop. But the current yield per hectare isn't the greatest. A little more demand would be welcome. That's nothing but disappointing at the moment," Tjerk concludes.
For more information:
Tjerk Nagel
Konaxx Onions
32 Kadal
9079 KW, Sint Jacobiparochie, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 518 491 255
Email: info@konaxx.nl
Website: www.konaxx.nl