The onion harvest is gaining momentum and the mood on the onion market is and remains good. Both growers and traders exude confidence. 'Finally a year in which we can all earn something' is a frequently heard comment this week.
The harvesting and loading of the onions is getting underway well. In some regions it is on the dry side for harvesting, but there is enough supply of onions without the market being oversupplied. The sharp dry weather ensures that the onions in the swath dry hard. This is a bonus, especially with the current high energy prices. The hectare yields are generally not disappointing if you take the dry growing season into account, according to various traders. Some quality problems are reported here and there. Due to the drought, the onions have thin skins. The onions are therefore extra sensitive to harvest damage and sunburn. Fusarium has still fallen on some plots at the end of the growing season. Growers who are not prepared for this may be surprised when they drive the onions into the shed. When in doubt, say goodbye quickly is the advice of several traders. Now there are buyers for it and who knows what it will be like in a few weeks.
Financiering
The only critical note that is heard among traders is that there is a lot of money involved in the onions. The grower wants to have the money in the bank within a few weeks and it takes a while before the (foreign) buyer pays the exporter. The financing of those onions that are in transit is putting a bit of a brake on exports for some exporters. But once the train gets going, it quickly picks up again.
The quotations on the regional stock exchanges are stabilizing at a very reasonable level. The DCA listing bale price onions is a bit behind, but continues to take careful steps upwards. The onion onions have now almost been processed, which means that the bottom of the quotation will improve this week. On average, the bale price is €35 per 100 kilos. And according to the processors, that fits reasonably well with current grower prices.