While onion exports were still above average a week earlier, the weekly volume actually took a step back in week 31. West African countries do import, but the volumes per country remain modest. Except for one country. The normally stable export engine Senegal is also very limited in the market.
In week 31 (first week of August), a total of 16.860 tons of onions crossed the Dutch border. This is evident from the figures from KCB/GroentenFruithuis. The weekly volume is therefore approximately 2.500 tons lower than a week earlier, or a decrease of 12%. This means that the export engine is faltering somewhat. The onion exporters and sorters already indicated that week that it was a weak week in terms of sales, and this is once again confirmed by these figures. Normally you see onion exports increase in most cases during these weeks of the year, but now a step back is being taken. It also sometimes depends on how many boats bound for Africa are moored and leave fully loaded in a given week. Or which destination is decreasing or stopping for the first time due to a new harvest.
With 16.860 tons of onions exported, the volume is considerably lower than in recent years. The last time the volume for week 31 was lower than this year was in 2015. In almost all years, 19.000 tons or more were exported in the first week of August. In 2023, 23.421 tons were exported.
Ivory Coast a bright spot
If you break down exports per country, it is noticeable that Ivory Coast is in the lead in week 31. With an import of 5.937 tons, Ivory Coast personally ensures that exports do not fall even lower. Great Britain follows with an export of 1.907 tons of onions and Belgium purchased 1.081 tons of onions. The top 5 is completed by Guinea and Senegal with 969 and 963 tons of onions respectively. Senegal is once again importing a limited volume.
With the volumes from the first week of August, the total export in the 2024/25 season amounts to approximately 65.420 tons. Compared to last season, sales abroad are down 15% in the first five weeks of the new season.
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