The outlook for the Dutch onion season remains very uncertain, says William Nannes of J.P. Beemsterboer Food Traders. "The Senegal border is not yet open for onions, although some loading has already started, and containers are on the way. The hope is that a decision will be made next week. Whether that will involve quotas or a temporary opening is still unclear, so we have no certainty at all yet."
"I do expect a smooth transition from onion sets to seed onions and do not foresee onion sets remaining once there are enough seed onions on the market. For now, hardly any seed onions have been brought in," William continues. "When you see the harvest that's coming, export figures and volumes should start to look good, but for now, there's nothing on the shelves; first, the harvest has to come in."
© J.P. Beemsterboer Foodtraders
"But normally, we will be able to export the full crop. That may be at a different price than in recent years, because as soon as we become too expensive, it becomes difficult. We've seen that in recent years. Then competition from other production hubs like China, Egypt, and Morocco quickly comes into play. But in terms of volumes, the prospects are good, and at this price level we can serve many markets."
The first pink Crimsun onions, which Beemsterboer carries exclusively, will also be loaded next week. "That crop also looks good. Every other year, we expand cultivation in a controlled way. With the Crimsun, we mainly focus on regular customers who are already familiar with the pink onions. But they are also sold in Europe and elsewhere."
© J.P. Beemsterboer Foodtraders
William is less optimistic about the potato market. "The acreage in north-west Europe has grown sharply this season, and I don't see how that market will recover in the coming period. The chip factories determine what happens, and they face strong competition from countries like China and India, where prices are much lower than ours. Meanwhile, the old potatoes are being sent to the cows."
For more information:
William Nannes
J.P. Beemsterboer Food Traders
+31 226396408
[email protected]
www.beemsterboer.nl
