The history of the Australian onion breeding company Magnus Kahl Seeds dates back to 1936. For the last 30 years, it has also been active in the European market. That began with the sale of first-year onion varieties, but over the years, particularly as onion, shallot and echalion seed sales increased. "We made niche allium products our focus," begins EU Business Development Manager Michael Butler.
The introduction to the European market has proved successful. In 2019, Magnus Kahl Seeds BV was launched as a new branch. European sales are now done from the Netherlands. "Our big advantage is that we can now service our customers directly and hold seed stocks here, which helps our customers' peace of mind. With our office in the Dutch market, last-minute orders are no problem at all."
"It helps that the company, along with its partners, takes care of the breeding, production, marketing, and sales. As a result, we always have direct contact with our clients, can build good relationships and offer value when pricing our products. We sell a range of high-quality onion, echalion and shallot seeds throughout Europe. We operate in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Italy, Austria, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Scandinavia. The company is keen to expand its reach into Spain, due to a strong range of new hybrids bred for this market," says Michael.
He adds that the biggest challenge is the soil and weather conditions facing growers. "In certain growing areas, it's becoming increasingly difficult to grow onions; in others, things are going very well. This year, there's quite a difference in buyer orders. Some have bought less seed, others have doubled their crop."
"The shallot market is growing. The processing industry, in particular, is buying more and more shallots, which offers plenty of potential," Michael explains. Magnus Kahl Seeds BV's assortment offers a half-long hybrid shallot called F1 Laval. It has excelled for years in the Dutch growing conditions. The robust, vigorous root system is a feature of the variety, that allows it to produce consistently high yields under all conditions. There has been no better test of F1 Laval's root system, than the recent hot, dry growing conditions in the Netherlands. The variety continues to excel in these harsh conditions, producing high-yielding shallots that can be stored for long periods. F1 Laval has shown high Fusarium tolerance in recent seasons, too.
Magnus Kahl Seeds BV also offers a shorter, rounder shallot called F1 Lorient. This long-keeping shallot is used for the fresh market but has proven very popular with the processing industry too, which is demanding more of this variety. It has a high dry matter content, making it ideal for dried products. F1 Lorient is a versatile shallot that undoubtedly gives customers end-use flexibility.
F1 Laval en F1 Lorient
The echalion range comprises of two varieties, Roderique and Figaro. Roderique is a highly versatile, elongated long day echalion, with a mild, sweet flavour. It has beautifully uniform pink-bronze bulbs, well suited for both the fresh and processing markets. Figaro is a slightly shorter, wider bulbed late-season long-day type. It too is well suited for the fresh as well as processing markets. Both have excellent, long-term storage.
For the seeded onion segment the company supplies the varieties Garnet Red and Red Baron, which are both highly consistent performers across the Northern European markets. For the set onion, pearl onion and saucier segments, Magnus Kahl Seeds has an excellent range of red, white and yellow varieties, in both hybrid and open pollinated forms. Following this niche theme, the company also offers a sweet onion and dehydration varieties for specialist producers. "There's something for everyone," Michael concludes.
For more information:
Michael Butler
Magnus Kahl Seeds
Mob: +31 (0) 614 256 296
michael@magnuskahl.com
www.magnuskahl.com