It is quiet on the organic potato and onion market. Potato growers are starting to sell more and more potatoes, some of which end up in the regular circuit. There is simply too much supply to put everything away as organic. The organic market share has therefore remained the same, according to figures from chain organization Bionext.
Sales of organic onions are quietly continuing, just like in previous weeks. Normal work continues quietly and trade is done here and there for parties crossing the border. Prices remain stable and the market appears to have calmed down after a small drop in prices in previous weeks. Now that sowing has started among growers, it does not mean that they want to get rid of their stocks quickly. They, but also the trade, still see opportunities in the coming weeks. Prices remain the same as last week. The DCA Indicative Price amounts to an average of €82 per 100 kilos for both fine and coarse size grading.
Little confidence in storage season
More and more growers in the organic potato market want to end the storage season now that temperatures are rising. The storage season will still take a while, but there is little confidence in a sudden revival of the market. A relatively large number of table potatoes are currently disappearing from the mainstream circuit and these parties are also able to find their way well. The fine size sorting sometimes leads to a slightly lower price. For high-quality consignments and the right variety, a price can be paid that approaches €40 per 100 kilos.
The DCA Indication Price remains the same as last week and amounts to €33 to €40 per 100 kilos.
Organic market share 3%
Although prices are certainly not bad this season, they are under pressure because the market share of organic products is quite low compared to the volume that is grown. The market share of organic products in Dutch retail is stagnating at around 3%. This is evident from an evaluation report by chain organization Bionext on the first year of its three-year campaign The most beautiful message is organic. Supermarket chain Albert Heijn, which does a lot to promote organic products and continues to increase its range, also did not see its market share grow in 2022, according to the supermarket's sustainability report presented this week.
Consumer keeps a tight rein on money
The European Commission's objective is to grow the organic area in the EU to a quarter by 2030. "For balanced growth, it is necessary that the supply of organic products keeps pace with the demand for organic products," Bionext said in a statement. the evaluation. With the campaign, the chain organization wants to increase its market share to 6,5% in 2024. That seems to be very difficult. According to Bionext, the past year was extra challenging due to the energy and purchasing power crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine. "Due to rising prices, many Dutch people kept their hands tight, causing the market for organic products to stagnate. In addition, Dutch supermarket chains wanted to profile themselves with organic products to a lesser extent because of the 'more expensive appearance'."
Bionext hopes that even more retailers will only offer certain products organically and has therefore put together a top 40 of organic products whose price is close to normal. Tomorrow (April 20) the organization will present this top 40 and hope to convince stores to choose the organic product. "Politicians want an organic area of 15% by 2030, banks are also willing to go along. Now the market has to go along. If we stimulate the market, farmers will also have perspective," says Bionext director Michaël Wilde.