The onion export is in good shape. However, there may be a turning point because Senegal is off the market extremely early. There are also many challenges for onion export in the long term. That is what Chayenne Wiskerke, director of Wiskerke onions, said at the onion theme day of the Landbouwbeurs Noord en Centraal Nederland (LNCN).
Wiskerke compares the export of 2017-2018 with the current export season. According to her, in 2017, 5 countries accounted for the export of 45% of Dutch onions. These were all African buyers. The trend is that Dutch exports are increasingly relying on the growing demand from Africa.
"And that in itself is positive," says Wiskerke. "Despite the fact that cultivation in Africa itself is also growing, the demand for Dutch onions is increasing, because consumption is also growing rapidly. This season we are in a good position: more has already been exported than in 2017. It is now possible to This change is coming, because Senegal left the market extremely early this year. Moreover, we simply have a lot of product."
More exports to Asia
"It is striking that less was exported to Africa this season, while more was exported to Asia. Even though we worked very hard, exports were not as fast as we thought. This is because more smaller packages are going to Asia, which requires more work per kilo of onion," says Wiskerke.
Exports to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Poland and Italy also grew strongly this season. "That was mainly because there were climatic problems there. The situation in India also has a major impact. The problems there were so great that the price rose by 642%. It is a unique situation, because onions were even flown in. Yet it was It is difficult for the Netherlands to respond to that demand, because our exports at that time are focused on Africa. We therefore had to make difficult choices between regular customers in Africa and customers in India who may no longer be customers next year."
Increasing protectionism
Despite the current export situation, Wiskerke and Inge Ribbens, international affairs manager of the GroentenFruit Huis, also see challenges. According to Ribbens, the obstacles to onion exports are increasing rather than decreasing.
"Protectionism in particular is becoming an increasing problem. Both in the Netherlands and in the export areas, it is important to tell the good story of the Dutch onion," says Ribbens. "In the Netherlands it is increasingly said: 'why should we dragging our onions all over the world?' Former State Secretary Martijn van Dam said in 2016 that the focus should be shifted from bulk production to knowledge export."
"Fortunately, this has not yet been converted into policy at the time, but this idea continues, as is also evident from the current circular vision of the Ministry of Agriculture. That is why it is very important to work together with the government. In addition, we must tell our story in the 140 countries where the Dutch onion goes," says Ribbens.
Protect your own market
"That is important because there are still some new markets to open and existing markets to be expanded. Also because of increasing protectionism. Of course, countries have the right to prevent plant diseases, but phytosanitary policy is often abused to, for example, protect their own market. protect them. If they want to find something, they will find it."
In addition, agricultural products are often easy victims in conflicts between countries. However, import tariffs no longer play much of a role these days. Ribbens illustrates the situation with the country of Panama: "After 2014, exports to this country were possible again and things got off to a good start straight away. So good that the local farmers rose to their defense. Then reasons were sought why our exports could not continue. "We then found a solution by delivering onions within 120 days after harvest. Yet the border is still closed."
Indonesia uncertain
"Indonesia is also a market that goes up and down. After the borders there were closed in the past, it was agreed that samples should be taken for stem nematodes. That is being done and good use is being made of it. Yet small onions are still being held back and that is exactly the market that was at issue. This market is still uncertain. We continue with silent diplomacy. Prime Minister Rutte was there last year and he also discussed the onion situation."