A Pukekohe-based onion exporter says this season is looking to end up as the worst in 30 years. According to NZ Onion Company managing director Mike Blake, Europe is halving the number of onions it would usually take from New Zealand and the only way to offset that is to increase the price or to return less to the growers.
"And as a result of New Zealand asking for a higher price, the packhouses and supermarkets in Europe have decided to go as long as they possibly can with their own production and reduce the import season. Instead of having a four or six-week program [selling New Zealand onions], they are only going to have a two or three-week window."
Blake said about a third of New Zealand's 180,000 to 200,000-tonne export crop usually headed to Europe. Limited volumes are going to Japan. The New Zealand Onion Company exports 15,000 tons of onions each year and Blake said he expected that to reduce by 30 per cent this season.
Source: nzherald.co.nz
