Dutch onion exporters have already completed their fifth week of this season, exporting over 40.000 tons. This has contributed to nearly 500.000 tons of onions already being exported, according to preliminary figures from KCB and GroentenFruit Huis.
Weeks with onion exports exceeding 40.000 tons are still relatively rare, especially from July through October. So far, this threshold has been surpassed seven times during these months, five of which this season. This demonstrates the exceptional nature of such a large export volume.
Normally, the peak for onion exporters is just before Christmas. Last season, November and December had a total of four weeks with an export volume of over 40.000 tons. The absolute weekly record is currently set for week 51 of 2024, with a volume of over 45.000 tons.
The counter for week 42—the last known period—stands at 41.418 tons. Total exports thus rose to 491.216 tons. This quantity is 95.000 tons higher than in the same period last year. This means that in the first sixteen weeks of this season, almost a quarter more was exported than in the same period last year.
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Exports to Senegal have already surpassed 100.000 tons. Ivory Coast is quickly following suit, with nearly 90.000 tons. These are the real top sellers. In week 42, nearly 20.000 tons went to these two West African destinations. That's the largest weekly volume this season.
Furthermore, three destinations saw purchases of more than 3.000 tons in the second full week of October. Great Britain is one of them, but we've been used to that for weeks. Guinea and Mali have joined the ranks. Guinea accounts for a total purchase of 30.000 tons of onions in the Netherlands, almost a third more than last year. The flow of onions to Mali is approaching 30.000 tons, nearly double the amount shipped last year.
Slightly rising prices
The strong sales are driving prices up despite a large harvest. The regional South market is trading slightly higher this week than last week. According to the market, finer lots are fetching €14,50 to €17 per 100 kilos. Coarser lots are fetching €15,50 to €18 per 100 kilos.
Red onions are in lower demand. There are hardly any known transactions for these onions. The Zuid stock exchange is quoting finer lots at €14 to €15 per 100 kilos. If any deals can be made at all, these onions are for the larger sizes. For large lots, the exchange is quoting €15 to €18 per 100 kilos.