What opportunities does the Netherlands have in Guinea?

Before we explain the market, it is useful to know which Guinea it is. In this article we are talking about the former French Guinea, sometimes called Guinea-Conakry (after the capital) and officially the Republic of Guinea. Not to be confused with the African countries Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, where many Dutch onions are also exported.

Strong growth
Guinea is an important buyer of Dutch onions. In the 2016/2017 season it imported 87.080 tons of Dutch onions. Only Senegal, Great Britain and Ivory Coast purchased more Dutch onions. Guinea is also in fourth place in the first weeks of this season. Up to and including week 44, the country purchased 20.890 tons of onions, an increase of 20% compared to last season. In the same period last season, the country purchased 17.361 tons of onions.

(Text continues below the chart)Exports to Guinea are growing steadily, by 2009% since 420.

Since 2009, there has been strong growth in exports to Guinea. Many exporters are trying to benefit from this. It often happens that ships are sent to Guinea on a gamble in the hope of actually being allowed to unload. However, with varying degrees of success. 

Exports are constant
In contrast to Senegal, and to a lesser extent Ivory Coast, the purchase of Dutch onions in Guinea is very constant. Onions are imported all year round; with an occasional peak or trough. This involves a volume of around 1.000 tonnes every week.

Last season, the most onions were exported to Guinea in week 22 (at the end of the season): more than 2.600 tons. Ramadan had just started, which meant that purchases for Eid-al-Fitr played a role. Liberia and Sierra Leone are also African countries where there is continuous sales. However, in these countries only one aspect is decisive: the price.

When Dutch onions are cheap, there will be a demand for onions from Guinea. Last season the Dutch market had to deal with low onion prices. As a result, onions have been exported to Guinea all year round. Prices in the Netherlands are currently low again and the prospects are not very positive. Guinea could therefore remain an important customer until the end of the season.

Competition from neighboring countries
Competition for the Netherlands comes from neighboring countries Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. In these countries mainly pink onions are grown. Technical developments mean that the onions can be stored better and the logistical conditions are also improving. This makes the onions cheaper. In the long term, competition from these countries is expected to increase.Guinea has 12,4 million inhabitants and is 6 times the size of the Netherlands (245.857 km2).