The committee of the Allium Plus pool took the risk last season to deviate slightly from the pool regulations. That worked out well for the result.
The pool normally starts delivering from January, but market conditions were such that the committee decided to adjust its sales strategy. Chairman Jan Berend Biesheuvel noted that the market had been in a downward trend for several weeks, while pool sales had yet to start. “We then decided to start selling a little earlier than we normally do, with delivery in January/February. In retrospect, it turned out well, because the market only went further downhill. Until this one ended very disappointingly.”
Responding to market conditions
The pool regulations also offer that scope. “Too strict is not always good. We had the feeling that the market would be weaker after New Year's Eve and we responded to that, but we had not anticipated that the level would become so dramatically low. You are mainly concerned with selecting certain onions for specific sales. In retrospect, the decision turned out well.”
Sales to Africa
Allium Plus pays its growers 8,80 per 100 kilos on week 13. That is the net price that the grower is paid. All costs have already been deducted, the storage fee has been included. “Demand was greatest early in the season. The onions are mainly exported to Africa, but also to Indonesia, for example," says Biesheuvel, who works closely with the Van Liere Brothers in Dronten.
Good quality
In terms of quality, overseas export was not an issue. “It was just good. The tare percentage averaged 5.1%.” Other destinations that purchased a lot of onions in previous years bought fewer this year. “Eastern Europe itself had a good harvest; you will notice that in your sales. Furthermore, a smaller volume went to Brazil this season, which purchased a lot of onions in previous years. And so it appears that Russia's import ban on agricultural products from the EU, which came into effect in August 2014, is still being felt after years.”