Dutch onion exports are breaking records. Never before have weekly exports exceeded 40.000 tons so early in the season.
The last week of August was the first week with exports exceeding 40.000 tons, according to preliminary figures from the KCB and the GroentenFruit Huis (Fruit and Vegetable House). And now it appears that this threshold was surpassed again in the second week of September.
Such exports have occurred ten times in the past five years, but never this early. Normally, these figures are only expected when shiploads depart to supply their destinations with sufficient onions just before Christmas.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the figures for week 37 is that the 40.000-ton mark was passed without exports exceeding 10.000 tons to Senegal. Normally, this is a prerequisite for exceeding the 40.000-ton mark in a single week.
Senegal's largest customer
In week 37, exports to Senegal totaled 9.479 tons. This makes this West African country the largest buyer of Dutch onions. Ivory Coast, as is often the case during this period, is in second place with 5.450 tons. Great Britain has also been importing over 3.000 tons for several weeks.
More striking is that no fewer than twelve destinations purchased more than 1.000 tons of Dutch onions in a single week. These are primarily African destinations such as Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Gambia. Belgium is also on the same list this time, some of which may ultimately end up in Africa. The Philippines, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Malaysia also rank high this time.
In short, a multitude of destinations supports Dutch exports. In week 37, a total of 41.620 tons were exported, according to preliminary figures. This brings total Dutch exports this season close to the 300.000-ton mark. The difference compared to last year has already increased to 67.000 tons, or a 30% increase.