The 'action' that took place in Emmeloord last week (stabilizing the onion quotation) does not seem to have any response in Goes this week. For the first time this season, a distinction was made between the two coarse gradings, which on balance resulted in a minus of half a euro. Onion prices in Middenmeer were also unable to remain unchanged this week.
The situation on the Dutch onion market is far from easy. With the last few deliveries to Senegal in the offing, it is becoming more urgent that new buyers come forward for onion sales. It would be very nice if work could somehow continue at a decent pace, if buyer Senegal cancels this season.
The Gambia, which is surrounded by Senegal, is currently the scene of unrest. Despite the state of siege, trade with the Gambians continues, because people consume every day. As long as shipping companies are sailing, Dutch exporters will be loading, although the situation is of course being closely monitored. So no obstacles for the time being.
Despite the sharply fallen prices, the supply of onions does not seem to be drying up. And not just from panicking growers, because the supply from that corner seems to be not too bad. Insiders indicate that the supply of onions sold in pools is now easier to obtain, making it possible to buy large onions for 6,00 euros per 100 kg.
The surprising price developments and the resulting negative mood are at odds with what was happening in trade at this time in previous years. Onion traders with years of experience must dig deep into their memories if they want to be able to point to a season in which there was as little confidence in the onion market around this time as there is now.
The core of the stagnation of sales is that there is a global lack of demand for onions. The demand is met with onions grown locally or grown in the region. The bottom of the onion market is at zero euros due to the lack of Poland. Onions with a quality defect are now traded at prices close to this bottom.