Growers' persistence is forcing sorters and packers to raise their sales prices. This effect is reflected in bale prices this week. Once again, the Dutch onion sector has experienced an unprecedented weekly export volume. Could rising prices throw a wrench in the works?
Despite the unprecedented volume of exports, sorters, packers, and exporters have long been unable to raise their selling prices. But now they have no choice. Purchasing is becoming more expensive, and that's starting to squeeze the margins of the processors who prepare the product for export. So they're forced to raise their prices as well.
Sell now and in the future
For direct delivery, grower prices of up to €16 per 100 kilos are currently being paid. A single batch has even reached €17 per 100 kilos. For deliveries in the first three months of 2026, sales have already reached €20 to €22 per 100 kilos with participation. With these grower prices, you can't continue selling sorted product at €20 to €21 per 100 kilos. Therefore, sellers are forced to raise their prices. This is reflected in this week's DCA bale prices.
At the beginning of the week, some "medium" grades were still being sold at the old prices, but prices rose as the week progressed. At the end of the week, €24 was being offered free of charge, which translates to prices ranging from €22 to €22,50 per 100 kilos, depending on the transport distance.
Other sorts are also rising
The bale price for large onions in sizes 60 to 80 millimeters is also rising, currently around €23, with some onions still €1 lower or €1 higher. Prices for super onions (larger than 80 millimeters) are between €23 and €25 per 100 kilos. Prices for triplet onions are generally rising to €19 to €20 per 100 kilos.
Sorters and exporters believe the market is absorbing the higher prices well and that exports will continue at their extremely high level. This is also because the peak weeks for pre-Christmas deliveries are now approaching. The companies emphasize that they simply have no choice and must wait and see how their buyers react to the price increases.
Exceptionally large exports
In the transition week from September to October (week 40), approximately 41.000 tons of onions were exported, according to figures from KCB and GroentenFruit Huis. Such a high figure is already quite remarkable at this time of year, but it's even more impressive. One swallow doesn't make a summer. More than 40.000 tons were also exported in the preceding week.
And so, things are going well on the export front. After fourteen weeks, 412.000 tons have already been exported, which equates to almost 30.000 tons per week. Just how well Dutch exports have been performing for so many years is unprecedented. This is a very good thing, because thanks to high yields, the Netherlands also has a lot of onions to export this season.
Read here the explanation from DCA Market Intelligence on the new quotations.