Brazil sets the mood

Brazil has been buying onions from the Netherlands for weeks. The main suppliers of onions for Brazil are Argentina and Spain. It is known that they have problems supplying good and/or coarse onions this season. There had therefore been the hope for some time that Brazil would continue to buy onions from the Netherlands. Halfway through last week they put the first question to Dutch exporters and on Friday it was

Brazil started to decline in serious volumes. This has resulted in a busy week on the onion market. At the beginning of this week in particular, a lot of onions were bought by the trade. In the course of the week, however, things calmed down as many exporters took a position. They are now exploring whether demand from Brazil will continue and are therefore gently applying the brakes.

Onion prices are making a good step
Demand from Brazil has pushed the price for good onions in the right direction. Where last week many lots of 60 to 65% coarse were hanging above the market for €9, many comparable lots have been bought around €11. Some batches have even been purchased for €15 on delivery in mid-May. These are parties that distinguish themselves in colour, quality and, in particular, size. High demands are made on the onions that are exported to Brazil. The color of the onions should be at the top of the market. In addition, the onions should be coarse. The majority of onions exported to Brazil have a March grade between 60 and 80 millimeters.  

In addition to Brazil, there is demand for comparable onions from a number of European countries. For such onions, there has been a lot more effort this week. However, there are also enough onions on the market that do not meet all the requirements, which means that the spread in onion prices is enormous. The quality is very decisive this season. 

Wide spread of odds
The regional stock exchanges all three made a big step in their quotations this week. Both the 30-60% coarse onions and the 60% coarse onions show a good increase. When we put all three regional exchanges side by side, €30 to €60 is quoted for the 6-8% coarse onions and €60 to €7 for the 12,50% coarse onions. The spread in the 60% coarse onions is greatest at the Emmeloord fair. With a quotation of €7,50 to €12.50, they show a spread of €5. Also in the bale prices there is a large spread.