Answer to parliamentary questions
'CBS figures do not influence onion market'
Minister Eric Wiebes (Economic Affairs and Climate) has also answered on behalf of Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) Parliamentary questions about the CBS harvest estimate. CDA MPs Jaco Geurts and Joba van den Berg asked questions in mid-February about the sharp correction that CBS made to their onion figures.
CBS framed the Dutch onion harvest at the end of October was still the largest ever. At the beginning of February, however, the final figures published† In this reporting, the figures were adjusted downwards by 4%. The gross yield went from 1,51 million to 1,45 million tons.
Market distorting effect
The case was brought to a head after an onion grower spoke out in the media about the course of events. The CBS figures are said to have a distorting effect on the market, putting growers at a disadvantage. In addition, arable farmers are obliged to participate in the survey conducted by Statistics Netherlands. In a broadcast of BB TV Facts, CBS spokesperson Cor Pierik said that the statistical office say does not have a market-distorting effect.
Minister Wiebes, also on behalf of Minister Schouten, gave answers in the House on 12 March. Wiebes agrees that the harvest figures published by Statistics Netherlands are used by the market to estimate the supply and thus the price. "The CBS figures therefore logically influence pricing and trade." However, the minister also believes that it is up to the market itself to determine on the basis of which information it wants to trade onions. This applies to all arable products.
No fines
Arable farmers who did not participate in the CBS harvest estimate were not fined in 2016 and 2017. This has been agreed in advance by Statistics Netherlands and the other agricultural organisations. In 2017, the number of respondents amounted to 72% of all arable farmers. In 2016 that was 77%. According to the parties, there is no alternative to this agricultural survey.
Digit corrections
Statistics Netherlands uses cultivation consultancy Delphy for the preliminary harvest estimate. Their advisers make an estimate of the acreage and harvest for the statistical office. Small test harvests are also carried out for this. These are compared with the experiences of previous years. Since 2010, the start of the harvest estimate figures, the final acreage has been adjusted downwards twice and upwards three times. For the gross proceeds, that is 2 times down and 3 times up.
Niels van der Boom
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