Inside: Onion Market
Border Senegal opens week earlier for onions
The largest buyer of Dutch onions, the African country of Senegal, announced on August 16 that it will open the border for onions from the Netherlands. This date is 6 days earlier than last year. Then the border opened on August 22.
Would you like to continue reading this article?
Become a subscriber and get instant access
Choose the subscription that suits youThe reason for the early opening is the Tabaski sacrificial festival. It falls relatively early this year and will be held from August 31 to September 4. That was in 2016 from September 12 to September 16.
6
day
Onions already on their way
The first Dutch onions are already on their way to the African country. On Friday, August 11, the Senegalese government would announce when it will welcome onions again. An import ban on onions has been in place since February 10 to protect the local market.
Importance of Senegal
Last year, the country imposed an import quota at the end of November because it was flooded with onions. The quota was 20.000 tons per month. There is currently no quota on the import of onions. During the 2016-2017 season, 168.926 tons of onions were exported to Senegal, according to figures from GroentenFruit Huis. That's a record. The country accounts for 16% of the total Dutch onion exports.
Text continues below the chart.
The export of onions to Senegal. More graphs? Visit the Database.
Speculated on early opening
William Nannes, buyer at JP Beemsterboer Food Traders, is happy with the news about the border opening. "There has been speculation about an early opening of the border and the first boats are already on their way. That has worked out well. The first shipment of Dutch onions is expected to arrive in the port on Friday, August 18."
Too little stock
According to Nannes, it does not come as a big surprise that Senegal opens the border almost a week earlier: "We knew that a meeting was held on Friday about opening the border. That does not only depend on the Tabaski sacrificial festival, but also on the situation in the country. How has the local harvest been and what is the stock? Apparently the government does not consider it sufficient for the holidays, so imports are allowed again. September 1 is always used as a guideline for the decision."
Exporting at full speed again
According to the buyer, it remains to be seen whether Dutch onion exporters will slow down on exports during the 2017-2018 season, after the introduction of an import quota last season. "I don't think the export sector will slow down. Of course, that remains to be seen as a piece of cake. Last year's quota was not only related to Dutch exports, but also to the situation in the country."