For onion processors, the size of a batch of onions is becoming increasingly important. The difference between the medium grading and the coarse grading is increasing in the bale prices.
In the week that the lowest export figures of the season were published, Dutch onion exports passed a season total of 1 million tons. This magical limit has never been crossed so early in the season. After exports have been a lot quieter in recent weeks, there were some more orders this week. This is mainly because demand from Southern Europe has increased somewhat.
Trade on the farm increased somewhat at the end of the week. In recent weeks, processors have collected many onions that were purchased in installments during the previous purchasing wave. Now that these obligations are decreasing again, new onions are needed again. The demand is mainly for coarse batches.
After a number of weeks in which stock market prices mainly fell, the stock exchange committee in Emmeloord recorded a plus of €1 this week for the 60% upward sorting. More importantly, the mood changed from bland to praising. A price-containing market means that supply is less than or equal to demand. Earlier this week, the trade fair committee in Middenmeer indicated a calm mood.
The difference in bale prices between the medium grading and the coarse grading is increasing. The demand from exports is mainly for large onions. Because the average size is disappointing, the range of medium-grade onions is increasing among processors. As a result, the medium sizes are under pressure, while the coarse sizes are increasing slightly. An overview of these bale prices can be found in the DCA listing Bale price Onions.