"We look for the best onions, not the cheapest,” says Erik. “Our maxim: onions should be so good that they can spend 4 weeks in a container and still meet the requirements of the customer."
Trade restrictions
In addition to increasing local production and the subsequent self-reliance, particularly within Europe, Erik sees trade barriers as the biggest threat to export. "Just think of the temporary closure of borders in Senegal, Gambia and Venezuela, the last one a country that used to buy a lot of onions. And then you have cloaked trade restrictions through ‘special requirements’ like phytosanitary measures." Erik is less afraid of other exporting countries. "I've been to China, but although there is a huge potential there, I am not worried. With the economic growth, consumption has significantly increased. Consider rice. China used to be a major rice exporter. Nowadays they have to import the stuff. It’s quite possible this country will someday rely on the Dutch onion."
“Holland must change its course though,” Erik warns. "Europe has become a much smaller market, because local produce has increased significantly. This means that export overseas is becoming increasingly important. This does mean however, that we have to provide quality, and also continue to deliver onions that are still in good condition after 4 weeks on the ocean! There’s no way around the fact that we’re in a competitive market with a large capacity surplus. Quite a few companies have disappeared in recent years and there is considerable pressure on margins. The problem is that the Dutch tend to put priority on price, not on quality, which may seriously damage our reputation as the biggest onion exporter in the world!”
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