Onion exports show sharp decline at the end of November

The preliminary figures from the KCB and the GroentenFruit Huis for week 48—the last week of November—show a different picture than in the previous period. At 24.617 tons, according to the preliminary figures, there has been a significant dip in exports.

The dip is mainly due to lower sales to Senegal that week. In week 48, 3.225 tons were shipped to the West African country. This is over 11.000 tons less than the more than 14.000 tons in the previous week. With nearly 18.000 tons shipped to Senegal in week 46, the market there was considerably oversupplied.

Senegal steps on the brakes
In short, it's not surprising that Senegal slammed on the brakes. Sorters and packers naturally saw this coming, as they were finding it harder to sell their products. Yet, they still assumed exports would be around 30.000 tons. Some estimated just below that, while others projected just over 30.000 tons. In that respect, sales of less than 25.000 tons are a disappointment.

It should be noted, however, that the rescheduling of a vessel can sometimes significantly impact a week's results. This will become clear from the figures published for the first week of December. It is clear, however, that exports are stalling due to the significant success in the weeks leading up to the end of November. Total exports have risen to over 720.000 tons. Never before has so much been exported in the five months from July to November as this year.

Senegal is the largest buyer, with 171.500 tons. This means that approximately 55.000 tons more were shipped to this West African country than in the same period last year. An almost 50% increase.

Ivory Coast slowed down somewhat earlier this year, but at 4.600 tons, a large quantity still goes there every week. Total sales to Ivory Coast have already exceeded 126.000 tons. That's 23.000 tons more than last year in the first five months of the marketing season.