The Netherlands is steadily exporting over 40.000 tons of onions per week. As we move into October, week 40 is practically on par with week 39, according to preliminary export figures from KCB and GroentenFruit Huis.
In previous weeks, exports of over 40.000 tons alternated with those of 35.000 or 36.000 tons. This wasn't the case in weeks 39 and 40. In both weeks, exports were around 41.000 tons. This makes the current season even more special than it already was.
Superlatives fail to describe the progress of this export season. For the first time in history, the Netherlands exported more than 400.000 tons of onions in the first fourteen weeks. The weekly average is already approaching 30.000 tons. Unprecedented. The lead compared to last year has already grown to almost 90.000 tons (+27,6%).
Crossing the 40.000-ton mark in week 40 was achieved without an explosive export of more than 10.000 tons to Senegal. While this West African country remains the largest buyer at 9.500 tons, it's not an extreme outlier. Ivory Coast is catching up nicely again with almost 9.000 tons. Great Britain continues to do well with 3.200 tons.
Besides the aforementioned countries and African destinations like Mali, Guinea, Gambia, and Mauritania, it's notable that Nicaragua and Malaysia are also buying a lot of onions. Israel, on the other hand, is hardly a buyer this season, while a substantial peak quantity was purchased last year.