The mood for the storage season of the organic markets for carrots, potatoes and onions is reasonably positive among growers and the trade. Fewer kilos have been removed from each hectare and this is not only the case in the Netherlands, as is evident from the demand and interest in organic products. The quality just has to be good and that is not the case everywhere.
The organic carrot harvest is as good as completed, although some was lost in the field during the harvest and some parts simply cannot be harvested. Ultimately, there is less carrot per hectare in the box than usual and a lot of soil. Given the harsh circumstances of the past period, the percentage of rot in the batch is not too bad, but it is clear that some have to say goodbye earlier than growers are used to.
There is currently quite a bit of demand for carrots from both the fresh market and the industry. Exports are also continuing reasonably well. One of the destinations is Germany, which itself also has a somewhat meager carrot yield and is therefore probably already on the market. The expectation is that the demand for carrots will continue after the New Year and that this will result in a plus in the quotation. The DCA indicative price for organic carrots has increased slightly this week. The DCA indicative price is €30 to €36 per 100 kilos. The supply has decreased now that the harvest is almost over and sales from storage are hardly taking place.
Organic onion market
The organic onion market is quiet and the volumes sold are not particularly large. There is no lack of positive sentiment among growers and the trade, and this is rightly so given the below-average yields. Growers are firmly in the saddle and are in no hurry to say goodbye to their lots, but do mention some prices for the long term. These are currently too high and do not match what the sorter currently offers. The price difference between the parties remains very large and depends on the quality, size selection, but also the destination. The DCA indicative price remains the same and amounts to €47 to €55 per 100 kilos, with the comment that few transactions are made.
On the organic table potato market it remains the same as in previous weeks. Here too, growers are firmly in the saddle and reasonably good demand is expected in the long term, while sales are now continuing reasonably well. The quality in storage is not good everywhere and less than in other years. This also causes a large difference in price formation between parties. In addition to the harsh harvest conditions at the end, there is also quite a bit of tuberous phytophthora present. It has often been advised to store the product despite the heavy contamination and that has worked out well in several cases, says an insider. Opinions differ and drying techniques have become better than before, but the type of phytophthora strain, which is milder in the tuber, may also play a role. The DCA Indication Price for organic potatoes remains the same this week at €50 to €60 per 100 kilos.