Onion growers who are members of the VTA association have considerably fewer free onions in stock in mid-February than the long-term average. This is apparent from an inventory of the onion stock among members last week.
The growers affiliated with VTA delivered approximately 51% of the onions during this period of the marketing year. This is approximately the same as the long-term average, the organization said in a statement. In the north of the Netherlands approximately 41% of the yellow onions have been delivered, in the south this is already 54%. For red onions this is the other way around: approximately 45% have been delivered in the south and 57% in the northern provinces.
With the current smoothly running exports that seem to be breaking records, it was perhaps expected - as VTA hints - that the number of tons delivered was higher. However, the organization notes that: "The export figures do, however, include a considerable share 'delivered' from non-traditional cultivation areas, where a relatively large portion was delivered from land. In addition, a volume of onion sets was also exported."
Stock lower
In absolute tonnes, VTA participants have 4,3% fewer onions in stock than the previous season. This is 3,5% lower than the long-term average. 31% of this stock has been sold, the association reports.
The absolute free stock is therefore 15,2% lower than last season. This is approximately 10% lower than the long-term average. VTA takes into account that in practice the net tons will be slightly lower due to quality problems in part of the stock.