"Onion trade in a rut"

Onion sales are difficult at the moment. This according to Wim Moerdijk of onion sorting and packing station Monie from Nieuwkoop. "One has to pay too much to the growers and in the trade one cannot make up for this. We are just in a difficult position, but if we have to pay 17/18 cents to the grower, then we cannot supply for 20/21 cents. As long as sales are less than our sorting capacity we will be stuck with this margin problem.

"Also sales of red onions are less than in the last few years. Also, the supply of small sizes is large, but in general sales are less" Wim says. "It even seems, that for the first time, we notice an effect from the crises and that people are also eating less onions."

The quality of the onions is an area of concern to the packer. "In at least half of the parcels there is more than 5% neck rot (Botrytis allii). The problem is that these parcels are exported on the basis of 'trust one's luck'. The onions do not have to be destroyed, but when one leaves them till the end of February problems become noticeable. Whoever exports these onions runs a big risk and that is not a good advert for Dutch onions."

www.monie.nl