There is a good demand in general for onions with the UK and most European counties, very short on volumes.
“The UK supply is not enough to complete the demand here, as volumes are shorter this year everywhere and that is making Spanish onions more attractive. Both local markets and supermarkets are seeing a good demand,” explains Juanjo Ortiz Peregrina
Director at Ortiz Fruits.
“Prices are not only affected by the demand but also by the supply, this is basic economics. Both high demand and short supply mean higher prices. In the last 3-4 months I have seen prices going up around 15%. Shorter volumes are affecting us mainly on supermarkets demand. We are still able to fulfil local market demands on large sizes, but we can’t source enough product for the supermarket demands. As volumes are shorter, Spanish supermarkets are taking most of the smaller sizes from our growers.”
Juanjo said that drought conditions are affecting every single grower in Spain right now and this is not only in onions but in any cultivation that requires certain amount of water.
“But for the last 10 days it´s been raining nonstop which is going to help to any crop which is growing right now. Besides it’s been raining, not too heavily but constantly and for a long period of time, which allows soil to take water and water does not run over the surface and ends up on the rivers and seas.
“At the moment quality is a bit tricky. With onions which have not been kept refrigerated we are seeing internal quality issues which develop quickly after a few days of being sent to their destination. Onions which have been refrigerated still present good internal quality.”
For more information:
Juanjo Ortiz Peregrina
Ortiz Fruits
Tel: +44 (0) 775 261 7405
Email: [email protected]
ortizfruits.com