The onion market is moving a lot more than in previous weeks. After the turn of the year, some things are expected from the export. This increases demand and changes pricing and mood.
Wrote last week Boerenbusiness already about one dichotomy in the onion market. These are difficult times for growers with 'lesser' lots, while the market for good onions is starting to pick up. This week we see that the trend for good onions continues. Trade is more active and prices are also rising. Instead of a division in two, one can also speak of a division in three. A distinction is made between size and color for good batches.
Trade becomes more active
Sorters and exporters had large stocks available early in the season and also had the necessary obligations. This meant they had sufficient onions available. In the meantime, the supply continued to flow in to sorters, which facilitated the selection between good and less good.
For the first time this season we see that trade is returning to the market more actively. The working inventories are becoming smaller, which means that the trade has started to report more actively on the market. Where the trade was leaning back for a long time, you now see an active attitude. Growers with beautiful onions are happy to take their place behind the wheel of the market and wait patiently to see whether the onion market will make another step in terms of price.
Regional fairs
The fact that trading is becoming more active is reflected in the price-loving mood that the Emmeloord stock exchange has recorded. A praising mood means that supply is less than or equal to demand. In the previous weeks, a dull or calm mood was always noted.
Optimism is not only reflected in the price-loving mood. The stock exchange prices of Emmeloord and Goes are also increasing for both fine and coarse onions. Only Middenmeer is listed unchanged. On the other hand, no changes can be seen in the bale prices.
| Emmeloord | Week 50 | Week 51 |
| 30% coarse | € 4,50 - € 6,50 | € 5 - € 6,50 |
| 60% coarse | € 5,50 - € 7,50 | € 6 - € 8 |
| Goes | Week 50 | Week 51 |
| 30% coarse | € 5 - € 6 | € 5 - € 6,25 |
| 60% coarse | € 6 - € 8 | € 6,50 - € 8 |
Prices are also increasing in the long term. In recent weeks, few lots have been purchased on a forward basis, because there is a considerable amount anxiety reigned among sorters and exporters. Several lots have already been sold on a forward basis this week. There were several games with double digits before the decimal point.
Export expectations
The fact that lots are purchased in the long term reveals expectations of exports. According to a number of exporters, there is a good chance that South America and Europe will report at the end of January or the beginning of February. Moreover, exports to Africa and Asia are expected to continue in the coming month. Europe will then report and probably South America as well.
In Italy and Spain people are looking for large onions. Eastern Europe is also slowly starting to move. In Brazil, cultivation in the north has largely failed, so there is good hope for Brazilian demand.