Does more acreage also mean more onions?

The area figures for seed onions in the Netherlands, from Statistics Netherlands, show that 2017 is good for 26.690 hectares of seed onions. That's a record. Last year an area of ​​25.080 hectares was achieved. This season has thus achieved an increase of 6% compared to last year.

Does this acreage record mean that the gross yields of onions will rise to a record high this year? As more and more stories from growers and processors come in about actual harvested yields, we cautiously venture to predict the gross yield of seed onions. 

Text continues below the chart.The acreage for seed onions has been increasing in recent years.

Onion yields ranging from 25 to 100 tons
In Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the proceeds are not left over. There is talk of yields of 25 to 50 tons in certain areas in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. According to traders, an average yield of 35 tons is realistic. In the rest of Zeeland, the yields are better, which are between 50 and 55 tons. These numbers are also mentioned in the rest of the southwest Netherlands.

Nothing beats Groningen. This applies in any case to the yields of onions. From 75 tons, onions are taken from the land. Outliers of 100 tons seem no exception. In Flevoland, the yields vary per polder. Yields of 65 tons are achieved in the south of Flevoland, the east is good for 70 tons and the Noordoostpolder takes the cake with yields of around 75 tons.

The yields of onions lying on the sand are not disappointing. 50 to 60 tons is common in these areas.

More than 1.400.000 tons of seed onions in the Netherlands
With this information a rough estimate can be made of the total gross yield of seed onions in the Netherlands. It should be noted that the yields per region are based on indications from growers and sorters. These have been collected per province and settled with the percentage ratio of the acreage in the Netherlands. This takes into account increasing and/or decreasing trends in the area of ​​seed onions in the provinces over the past 3 years.

As mentioned, the gross revenue figure is an indication. If we follow the stories told from the market, 2017 will amount to a gross yield of 1.400.000 tons of seed onions. This just wouldn't be a new record. Only 2011 scores better with a gross yield of 1.470.000 tons.

Average yield of 52.5 tons per hectare
A gross yield of 1.400.000 tons of seed onions is good for an average yield of 52,5 tons per hectare. This is slightly higher than last year's figure (51,4). However, the indication is disappointing, compared to expectations earlier this year. In the southwest of the country in particular, the onions have not had a chance to grow. This can be seen in the gross revenue figures for the past 10 years. Only last year scores worse than the indication for 2017.

This article makes a rough estimate. Many onions still have to be delivered and the figures are based on indications from growers and sorters. If the figures are correct, then the acreage record will indeed ensure that there are more seed onions than the previous 5 years. This is entirely attributable to the acreage. The average yields are the second lowest of the past 10 years. The gross yield per hectare in recent years.