Ivory Coast remains important for Dutch onions

Last season, Ivory Coast was the third importing country of Dutch onions, after Senegal and Great Britain. They purchased 88.761 tons of onions over the entire season. In the first months of this season, the export of Dutch onions to West Africa was very one-sided. This also applies to Ivory Coast. Up to and including week 40, the country purchased 38.096 tons of Dutch onions. This is almost 30% more than in the same period last year.

Onion peak
In the months of August to December there is a peak in the export of Dutch onions to Ivory Coast. In week 46, the most onions were exported to Ivory Coast in the past 6 years. Last season, the prices of Dutch onions were very low, which meant that many onions were exported to Ivory Coast all year round. If the prices of Dutch onions are low, Ivory Coast will continue importing Dutch onions for longer. Although in smaller volumes than during the peak months, but in a continuous flow. If the price of Dutch onions remains low again this season, it is expected that onions will also be exported to Ivory Coast all year round this season.

There are 4 major importers in Ivory Coast who have controlled the onion trade for decades. They also export Dutch onions to neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso.

(Text continues below chart)The export history of Ivory Coast, per week and per season.Competition from neighboring countries
Major competition for the Dutch market comes from the onion cultivation of the neighboring countries Niger and Burkina Faso. In these countries mainly pink onions are grown. In Ivory Coast people prefer these local onions. However, the price is decisive. This seems to be in favor of the Netherlands, which means that the export of Dutch onions to Ivory Coast is going well.

In the long term, the African neighboring countries will become more of a competitor for the Dutch market. Technical developments mean that onions can be stored better and the logistical conditions in these countries are also improving, making onions cheaper. However, the price will be decisive. In addition, these countries are not yet self-sufficient enough to serve the entire market in Ivory Coast.The country is 13 times the size of the Netherlands and has 22.700.000 inhabitants.