The first winter onions are packed and on their way to their destination. Because the bale prices are currently changing every day, the onion market is still looking for a stable price level.
The first planted onions of 2019 were harvested last week. The demand for winter onions planted in 2018 is now coming to an end, as processors prefer these early onion sets. However, the bale prices are still based on the 2018 harvest. Because a lot of supply is expected next week and demand on the export market has yet to get going, bale prices have fallen.
Supply and demand will have to come together in the coming weeks, so that bale prices can find a stable level and then build on it. Until then, onion processors are not very eager to buy on the onion market. The regional stock exchange in Goes is expected to issue a listing for the first time this week, perhaps this will provide more direction to the market.
Forecast of area
The program Central Statistical Office released a provisional area forecast on Friday, June 28. The sowing onion area for the 2019 growing season is increasing significantly. The provisional forecast indicates a plus of 9,5%. This increase is mainly due to the expansion of the new cultivation areas in the east of the Netherlands. The sowing onion area is also expected to have increased significantly in the provinces of Drenthe, East Brabant and Limburg.
In contrast to the sowing onion area, the onion onion area is actually decreasing. The provisional forecast shows a decrease of approximately 2,2%, bringing the onion onion area to 8.900 hectares. The yields of onion sets that are lifted in July appear to be good on average.
Click here the most recent quotes.