Dutch onion exporters have now exported more than 900.000 tons of onions this season. The pace picked up again in week 2 of this year, after quiet weeks around Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Onion exports currently total 904.328 tons, according to preliminary figures from the KCB and GroentenFruit Huis. Of that total, 231.000 tons were shipped to Senegal in West Africa. Never before has a country purchased so many onions from the Netherlands. The previous record was also held by Senegal, with 181.151 tons last season.
In the last known period – week 2 – a total of 26.112 tons were exported, according to newly released figures. Senegal was once again one of the largest buyers, with 3.900 tons. This is, however, less than the previous week, when 8.645 tons were shipped to this West African country. This is expected to decline further throughout the remainder of January, after which Senegal will close its doors to protect local production.
This marks the end of a highly successful export campaign to Senegal. Before the baton is completely handed over to European destinations, Ivory Coast will temporarily take over. In week 2, Ivory Coast was the largest buyer, with nearly 4.600 tons. This is the largest quantity exported to this country since early December. In weeks 3 and 4, exports to this country appear to remain at around 3.000 tons.
Great Britain is seeing a significant increase this year. After around 2.500 tons in week 1, the volume increased to almost 4.300 tons in week 2. This is a substantial volume for the British. Volumes don't appear to be much lower in weeks 3 and 4. This means sales to Great Britain are off to a strong start, as the weekly average this season is just under 3.000 tons.
In week 2, exports to Mauritania, Gambia, and Malaysia also resumed. These are also destinations that have been performing well in terms of export figures all season.