Spanish onions dominate the supply

“At the moment the supply from Spain dominates,” explains an importer and wholesaler at the wholesale market in Frankfurt. “The Spanish onions are expensive too, and the high prices have a negative impact on the sales.” The result is that the customers’ demand is low and stable. “As alternative we have large Dutch onions, they profit from the high prices of the Spanish onions,” says the wholesaler, “The Dutch onions are better value for money than the Spanish onions, therefore many customers turn to Dutch onions.”

And while the trade in imported goods moves a little, the trade in German onions is fixated at one level. “The trade in the German products doesn’t change much,” states the expert, “The trade of German onions, in several different sizes of packaging, is constant and stable as always.”

Prices

According to the wholesaler from Frankfurt the onion trade has been stable for months. “Since the fall the prices for onions is t a constant and stable level. Nothing changes much; even the Christmas holidays didn’t influence the prices. Only the prices of the Spanish onions increased since September.”

Spain: Storage must be emptied

In the next few weeks the trader expects a continued stable situation in the trade of German and Dutch onions. However the situation with the Spanish onions could change. “If the demand remains low, then the prices probably will go down too. In April the new season in Spain starts. And the producers and distributors have until then to empty their warehouses.” The low prices should stimulate the sales.