The delivery of onion seeds is almost complete, according to seed suppliers de Groot en Slot and Hazera. Now that spring is starting, the conditions are ideal. The temperatures are rising steadily, which ensures that the soil is gradually warming up. The coming fourteen days are predicted to be fairly stable weather, with the occasional light shower. Growers are already busy, or are in the starting blocks to start sowing. At the moment, it is estimated that between 15% and 20% of the area has been sown.
The expectation is that a lot of onions will be sown during this period. In the north of the country, growers seem to be a bit further along, as conditions there are generally drier. Growers who get the chance take advantage of it to start early.
At the beginning of this year, there was a lot of speculation about the availability of red onion seed. The market for red onions has grown strongly in recent years, due to the attractive price difference with yellow. As a result, the demand for red seed has also increased, says Bart Schriever, sales manager Benelux of De Groot en Slot. Schriever states after delivery: "As for red onions, the entire available volume has now been delivered. There has been no additional supply, but growers had sufficient alternatives via varieties from competitors."
At Hazera, they saw no change in the area of red onions last year. Regarding the increasing demand for red onion seed, Paul Fiers, crop specialist Onions at Hazera, says: "It is striking that the shortages are not due to the increase in the area, but mainly due to a reduced availability of sowing seed from seed suppliers themselves." Alternatives in yellow onions within Hazera are available to compensate for shortages, although not all varieties are available anymore. The demand for red onions remains high, but the limited availability means that the market cannot be fully served, Fiers also indicates. "What is delivered is in line with expectations and of good quality."
Primed seed emergence
Due to the disappearance of crop protection products such as Vydate, Fiers sees the rise of primed seed gaining popularity. "Priming helps the onion to grow faster and reduces risks in which soil life can play a role." At Hazera, an increase in the use of phosphate is also observed. This plays an important role in a strong and healthy initial development of the plant. Fiers sees all this emerging, to get the plant above ground as quickly and healthily as possible in the initial phase. "This offers extra certainty in the basis of the cultivation."
Pace varies by region
The pace of sowing varies greatly by region. Fiers: "In the south, the start is slow due to low temperatures and frost, which is why many growers are still hesitant. However, the prospects are becoming more favourable, with better temperatures and favourable conditions on the way. A small rain shower could even be beneficial for the heavier soils."