Theme Day Onions
'More onion acreage required to keep up with exports'
Looking back is easier than predicting the future. Nevertheless, Wim Waterman (Waterman Onions) tries to take visitors on the Themdag Uien in Dronten to the coming years. What do cultivation, export and the sector need?
The main photo shows Wim Waterman of Waterman Onions.
Aquarius takes visitors from the Theme Day Onions into the future of the onion. The onion sector has something to celebrate, with an export level that is 11% above last season. "If we continue that growth, we will need 10% more acreage next season to feed the market," says Waterman. A comment that really loosens up the room. "But, quality comes first," he continues.
Skin resistance and flat onions
A brief summary of the onion of the future shows that skin resistance is required. The onion must also be resistant to diseases and pests, have a good taste and be dormant. According to Waterman, that skin resistance is of great importance. It still sometimes comes down to that. "A leathery skin is flexible and can take a beating. It is resistant and therefore desirable. Due to good house resistance, baldness occurs less quickly. Harvesting late and drying too much are the causes. Above all, we should not forget the taste. "
"Peeling and cutting companies demand a high-round onion, which is easier to cut. Flat onions are disappearing. Single center (1 heart) is of great importance due to the emergence of onion rings. This is becoming an industry in itself," continues Waterman. "Yellow, red and white are the main colours, but we might get a fourth: the green one. An organic onion."
Growing world population and climate change
Aquarius also cites the growing world population. "More is grown locally in Africa. As a result, more onions go to African and Asian countries. Logistical possibilities are improving. A lot of product can be processed and shipped in a short time. The availability of reefer containers has improved, which means that we can reach every destination worldwide. To meet the demand, new cultivation areas are being explored. But, perhaps also in the greenhouse. Finally, there may be other options for the onion, such as extracting substances or processing it into powder."
Climate change should not be missing from the presentation. It is an issue in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world. "Deserts are becoming cultivation areas and cultivation areas are becoming desert," says Waterman. "We are seeing enormous droughts and floods in the south of Africa. This will be a challenge in the future. This also applies to political tensions, such as import duties, permits, border closures and a ban on certain substances. Such measures do encourage us to new destinations, because we have now also found a solution for the lack of sales to Russia."
Cultivation and storage
"Growing onions just like that and seeing whether a trader buys them is a thing of the past. Growers should think better about the entire cultivation and sales. That requires a different way of working," Waterman thinks. "The grower of the future has box storage, which makes it more flexible. Too many onions are still wasted in storage. Growing is becoming increasingly difficult. You largely control the future yourself. Respond to changing market conditions. A good grower looks ahead and not to the past."
Niels van der Boom
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