Mauritania introduces import ban

Mauritania will not purchase Dutch onions until May 15, because the market is overcrowded. The importers have decided this themselves, which means that there is no import ban imposed by the government. Such a ban is common in the onion sector, partly as a measure its own cultivation the protect.

However, Mauritania is a big sandbox, making it impossible to grow onions there. The importers are tired of the market being overcrowded by Dutch exporters. There is so much supply that the onions are dumped or resold at dump prices Mali.

Islamic holidays
The sanction coincides with the start of Ramadan, which lasts from May 15 to June 14. Dutch exporters expect that Ramadan will have only a limited impact on the market. There are already plenty of onions in stock, and many African countries now have their own harvest.

The higher consumption may cause African stocks to shrink, meaning more onions are needed around Eid-al-Fitr.

Important customer
Mauritania is an important buyer of Dutch onions. This year they are even in the top 5 of largest buyers (54.871 tons up to week 14). Last growing year, the country purchased 53.750 tons of onions, which means that sales to Mauritania are ahead of last year.Exports to Mauritania last year amounted to 53.750 tons of onions.