The onion area cultivated in New Zealand shows a similar picture for the 2019/2020 season as in the previous 3 seasons. There are only minimal deviations in both red onions and yellow seed onions.
New estimates of the onion area in New Zealand amount to 5.266 hectares, which is an increase of 20 hectares (+0,4%). Of this area, approximately 12% is red and approximately 88% yellow. This means a reduction of 39 hectares (-4,8%) for red onions, compared to an increase in the area of yellow onions: a plus of 49 hectares (+1,1%).
The multi-year average for New Zealand is 5.021 hectares of onions. The 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons in particular were years in which the acreage suffered a dent. This was mainly due to the difficult sales in those seasons. In the seasons mentioned, onions were grown on 4.934 hectares and 4.895 hectares respectively. The largest area of onions (5.340 hectares) was grown in the 2012/2013 season.
Average harvest expected
The changing weather conditions mean that an average harvest can be expected for the time being. The sowing season was very long and the run-up to summer was often dry. Just like in the Netherlands, the availability of water determines the ultimate yield of onions.