More acreage, less onions in German storage

The area of ​​sowing onions in Germany reached a record of 11.900 hectares this year. An increase of 500 hectares (4,3%) compared to the year before. Two dry years meant that the onion harvest was smaller than expected. This resulted in an attractive price level. With the potato market in a negative mood, more German arable farmers decided to sow onions this spring. This is especially the case in the north and southwest.

A larger area is not reflected in the first stock measurement of this season (reference date October 1). This amounts to more than 205.000 tons. A decrease of 3% compared to 2019. Only in the extremely dry year of 2018 was the stock still 10% smaller. It is also noticeable that there are fewer yellow seed onions in stock and considerably more red onions.

Difficult growing season marks harvest
The special growing season is the basis for the stock. Conditions were exceptionally dry during sowing and the first growth phase. The plots improved due to rainfall, but just like in the Netherlands, plants were missing. A combination of little rain and a strong drying wind caused this. Crops suffered from drift damage on the light soil. In August and early September there was a heat wave that prevented the tons from being achieved. Only in the state of Bavaria did precipitation fall regularly. The harvest there is significantly better.

A low plant number ensures that the percentage of very large onions is considerably higher than average. Due to the frequent irrigation, insiders expect that the quality of some batches will be disappointing. Most plots were cleared and sanded in September under dry and warm conditions, which improves the quality. At the beginning of this month, especially in the north and east, about 10% of the onions were still in the fields. Sometimes because crops did not want to be ironed and were forced to remain in the ground. The quality of this is still unknown. Insiders take into account that these parties have to deal with more tare due to a high number of thick necks (bolts).

More red onions
Depending on the growing region, organic onions sometimes have to deal with fusarium problems. The quality is averagely good. The volume of organic onions in storage is smaller than in previous years. This probably has to do with the fact that significantly more red onions have been sown, which yield fewer kilos. There is much more demand from retail for red than yellow seed onions. The sales prices convince growers. Conventional growers are also sowing more and more red. A movement that is also noticeable in the Netherlands, where the area of ​​red rose reached a record this year.

German onion growers have treated more lots with MH than in previous years. Almost half of all storage lots have been sprayed. Most onions are in storage in the north of Germany, followed by the southwest. The stock measurement there is more than 10% below the level of 2019. It is striking that in East Germany there are a quarter more onions in storage than was the case in 2019.

Area is not shrinking
It is likely that the German onion area will once again break its own record in 2021. Especially now that consumption potato cultivation gives little hope for the coming season. Potato growers who have started growing onions in the last two years have achieved good financial returns. If the 2-2020 season turns out well, there will certainly be no less sowing next spring. Investments have already been made and the mechanization is in place. The country is not self-sufficient, so there is no overproduction. The export of Dutch onions to our neighboring country depends on our own harvest. A peak was clearly noticeable in 21 and the export volume decreased by 2018% in calendar year 2019. Poland has been a demand market for onions over the last 20 years. This year the country has a much larger harvest. It is likely that some of this will be sold in Germany.