Demand for onion sets remains minimal. "We're stuck with overpriced onions in our pipeline. The price is dropping by the day, and that makes buyers nervous. Just when you think you've got the price figured out, it's already fallen another few cents," says Tjerk Nagel of Konaxx, based in the Frisian town of Sint Jacobiparochie. "And what will the season bring? The only certainty in the onion market is that there are no certainties, as we've seen in recent years."
"In terms of weather, we've had an optimal growing season. We've had rain almost on demand, so to speak, and the onions are growing incredibly fast. At the same time, that doesn't mean much at this stage because there are still too many unknowns. There are also quite a few irregularities here and there, like white rot, fusarium patches, and powdery mildew, so we'll have to pay close attention to quality."
© Konaxx
According to preliminary CBS figures based on the agricultural census, the Frisian seed onion area has decreased by 9% to just under 1,500 hectares. "We don't quite recognise that picture. I haven't counted the hectares myself. Visually, it may seem like there are more onions, but in our experience, the figures don't lie," says Tjerk.
Konaxx aims to increase contract cultivation with Frisian onion growers next year and is already reaching out to local growers. "At the beginning of the season, we have to get all our onion sets from the south. That starts in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and every week we move 100 kilometres closer. It requires a lot of transport. That's why we'd like to expand local cultivation, and fortunately, there is enthusiasm for it."
For more information:
Tjerk Nagel
Konaxx Onions
Kadal 32
9079 KW Sint Jacobiparochie
Tel: +31 (0)518 49 12 55
[email protected]
www.konaxx.nl
