The quality is not hindering the sale of organically grown onions this year. After the disastrous year of 2016, it is much better. Especially in the organic province of Flevoland there is talk of good yields. In the southwest there is a loss of yield due to drought.
The organic sector would rather not talk about the 2016 season. A season with low yields and quality that caused headaches. This year the cards have been shuffled differently. "The quality is good at the moment. This goes hand in hand with good yields in the polders," says Guido Aaldering of Aaldering Bio-Ui. The sorting and packing station in Biddinghuizen specializes in organic onions. "Varieties that are resistant to mildew are a real solution for organic cultivation. The next step is resistance to fusarium."
Problems with thrips
At the end of August, Aaldering processed the last onion sets. "The connection between the onion onions and early sowing onions went well," he says. "The crops eventually died quickly, so the harvest started early. Good yields are achieved in Flevoland. Things are different in the southwest."
"Thrips have been a major problem, especially in Zeeland, but we also encounter damage in the north," says Delphy advisor Christoffel den Herder. "I have the feeling that this is partly dependent on the rotation. It often concerns crops that were already not growing well. Because irrigation in Zeeland was usually not possible, the yield there is disappointing. The yields from onion sets have also been poor."
Pricing difficult
The quality may look good during the harvest, but this does not necessarily remain the case at the time of delivery. "There is a difference between what you harvest and what you deliver," Den Herder agrees. "Diseases are more likely to emerge in organic crops during storage."
The price is also a difficult point. "Many onions are grown under contract, but there is also a share available," says Aaldering. The Emmeloord stock exchange has not yet put a quote on the boards this season. Growers also do not dare to make a statement about the price. It is stated that the grower price and bale price do not match each other. That creates friction, says a grower.
Own onions first
Just as with organic potatoes, onion sales are also largely driven by neighboring Germany. However, this country also has a good yield. Just like in the Netherlands, the area has increased due to the arrival of more organic companies. Stories about quality vary. They range from mediocre to good. Germany applies the rule 'own onions first'. Only then does the Netherlands come into play. The United Kingdom is also an important sales market, just like for conventional onions. Sweden is mentioned as a growth market.