Senegal has been the largest buyer of Dutch onions for many years. The extent to which Senegal is on the market therefore has a major impact on the total export figure.
The provisional export figures for week 34 have recently been announced. 20.778 tons of Dutch onions were exported this week. This is in stark contrast to the export figures of week 33, when 34.783 tons of onions were exported. The difference is mainly in the supply to Senegal. In week 33, Senegal imported 15.777 tons of onions, in week 34 exports to the West African country remained at 3.036 tons. As a result, exports to Senegal alone miss 12.741 tons in a week.
Senegal has a significant role in this. When the market to Senegal opens, many onions are often dumped on the quays of the port in Dakar. Senegalese importers then have sufficient stocks, which they will first use before new Dutch onions are needed. Exports to Senegal therefore often move in waves.
A total of 136.049 tons of onions were exported this season. This means that exports are approximately 4.000 tons behind last season. On average, exports amount to 17.006 tons per week.
Ivory Coast the largest
The export top three are formed by the usual customers. Ivory Coast purchases the largest volume with 3.665 tons of onions. Even though exports are a lot lower than in week 33, Senegal still takes second place. The third buyer is Great Britain with 2.140 tons. In addition, Mali, Mauritania and Guinea also imported more than 1.000 tons in week 34.