The storage season is in full swing and it is clear that the quality of onions is not that good everywhere. It seems to be a Fusarium year, but there are several reasons for which the grower should be vigilant.
In general, the onion landing period went smoothly and with little difficulty due to the good conditions. The precipitation arrived on time and made the harvest easier, although sometimes we had to wait for a rain shower because of the drought. Plots that were still green have benefited from the precipitation because new growth has added a few tons. Harvest damage doesn't seem to be too bad this year, but 2022/23 certainly seems to be a fusarium year.
Fusarium and bacterial disease
It is still early and the last onions have recently arrived, but there are already lots with storage problems. Fusarium is clearly visible, but bacterial disease is also found more than usual this season. Irrigation in combination with the warm weather conditions of last season are the reasons why more bacterial diseases are found in the onions. That correlation is clear this season, an insider reports. Plants have been relatively stressed by the weather this season. With regard to the later attack of fusarium, the right conditions were clearly present: a soil temperature of 25 degrees with a large amount of moisture in a short time, as is the case with irrigation.
The relatively dry harvest period led to less pressure on the arrival of onions, which ensured that many lots arrived dry. Another reason why the grower left his onions in the swath longer is the high drying costs. This has worked well for combating mold and bacterial illness. Fusarium is mainly found in the south and center of the Netherlands, regions where onions have been grown for some time. In the north fusarium is not too bad. The parties that entered after the precipitation this season are clearly the fewest. Some parties are therefore advised to be cleaned up as quickly as possible, before the tare increases and is labeled 'problem party', reports an insider. Given the increases in storage costs and the rapidly increasing tare percentage, storing onions will not easily pay off this year.
More crack butts
Processors report that the quality is very variable per batch this year and that quality can certainly play a role this storage season. The time of sale can therefore be postponed for some parties if there is significant damage. Many onions with cracked ends are also being found this year, especially in the province of Drenthe. This is also a result of the drought and heat of last summer.