Van Meir Onions & Potatoes from Steenbergen notes the prices of the first of the 3 onion pools for the 2019/2020 season. It concerns pool A, which runs from October until the new year. The price cannot match the record year 2018.
In addition to pool A, Van Meir has 2 more sales periods, which are divided into pool B and pool C. The pool price is split into fine and coarse onions. For the onions in pool A below 60 millimeters, the fine onions, Van Meir pays €13,89 per 100 kilos this season. The price for the coarser onions, 60 millimeters upwards, amounts to €14,43 per 100 kilos. This is what Akkerwijzer reports.
This means that prices have been approximately halved compared to last year. At the time, prices were €25,66 and €31,47 per 100 kilos, respectively. However, making a comparison with 2018 is not very realistic. Last year was an extreme growing season, in which yields were low and demand was high. Prices then rise quickly. The onions were also very fine on average.
Quality differences
There was some difference in quality during the past season. Halfway through the harvesting season there was a lot of rain, which meant that harvesting could not take place. As a result, onions were harvested before and after the rainy period. The onions from before the rain are of better quality. The onions harvested or stored after the rain are of lower quality, especially the color is less suitable. As a result, a number of batches from the pool have been rejected and sold to the industry. Van Meir's advice to onion growers is to harvest on time. The choice of variety is important.