Average yield historically low?

It is currently very quiet on the onion market. The sellers hardly buy and keep inventories low. In addition, the contours of export not clear yet. The stories about the market in Senegal (will the border open or not?) change every week and it is not clear whether the importing countries want to go along with the Dutch onion prices.

When will the border open?
Because various exporters and importers from the Netherlands and Senegal have put pressure on policymakers in Senegal, it may be possible that the border will open before September 12. There will be another meeting to determine a date on Monday, August 27. Reportedly it is already there 1 month of onion consumption on the way to the country. When these onions are placed on the quay, the condition of these onions will have to be determined.

The export to Ivory Coast is good at the moment. The African country had already purchased more than 31 tons of onions up to and including week 15.000. The other African destinations are only served sparingly. Many of these countries now get their onions cheaper from Morocco. When Moroccan supplies start to run out, it will become clear whether African destinations will keep up with Dutch prices.

Revenues are disappointing
In addition, onions have been harvested in various places throughout the Netherlands in recent weeks. This showed, as is known, that yields are low. Even for parties where it was previously thought that a reasonable return was achievable, this is often disappointing. The estimate from various trading parties and stakeholders shows that the average yield will be approximately 33% lower than was the case last growing season.

Last growing season the average yield was 55,65 tons per hectare. If we assume a 33% lower yield, that is an average yield of approximately 37 tons per hectare. If that forecast comes true, the average yield would be historically low.

(Text continues below the chart)The forecast of the average yield for 2018 is very low.

New onion listing
Due to the drought of recent months, there will be many parties that will not reach the 30% threshold. That is why a quotation for fine onions was released for the first time this week. There is one for that new category created: onions with a coarseness of 0% to 30%.

The Goes stock exchange published a quotation for this sorting for the first time in week 34, followed by the stock exchanges in Middenmeer and Emmeloord. If all 3 regional fairs are compared, €0 to €30 is paid for the 15% to 18% large onions.

View all quotes here.