How do you ensure that the Dutch eat more onions?

In a country where so many onions are grown, it is remarkable that consumption is relatively low. On average, a Dutch person eats 4,5 kilos of onions per person per year. Consumption is significantly higher in other European countries. There is therefore a great potential for additional sales, and all of this in our own country.

Author: Cees Leijten

It is estimated that more than 1.000 tons of unprocessed onions are sold in Dutch supermarkets every week. The yellow onion is still the most used, about two-thirds of all onions sold are yellow onions. The red onion is then the most commonly eaten onion and is growing strongly in sales, consumers appreciate the fresh taste. Lesser known varieties are the sweet, white and pink onion. Every onion has its own taste properties.

Healthy Choice
The onion is not only the seasoning in a dish, it is also a very healthy vegetable. For example, an onion contains few calories, but many vitamins and antioxidants. The Nutrition Center advises to eat at least 250 grams of vegetables per day. This is not an easy task for many, but by adding an onion to your dish, this goal is easy to achieve.

The meal packages, which have been on sale in Dutch supermarkets for several years now, make it simple for consumers to cook healthy. All the ingredients for a delicious recipe are present. Consumers are inspired to prepare their own meals with fresh vegetables and herbs. An onion is also included in the majority of these packages. This not only leads to a higher consumption of onions, but it also ensures that consumers add an onion to their own creations more quickly.

Discounts and promotions
This trend has not gone unnoticed by supermarkets. In order to stimulate consumption, there is a greater focus on this product group. For example, there are more frequent discounts and more communication about the onion. In addition, onions are also given a more prominent place in the store. All this will have to lead to the fact that the Dutch will eventually eat more onions.

Cees Leijten is a buyer at Bakker Barendrecht. The company is one of the largest fruit and vegetable companies in the Netherlands and supplies, among others, Albert Heijn.

This article was recently published in 'Onion Market De Analyze 2017'. Click here to still receive the magazine.

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