Onion export faced considerable difficulties at the end of January

The Dutch onion export achieved a nice export of nearly 23,000 tons in week 3. The two weeks that followed were much more challenging with weekly volumes of around 16,000 to 19,000 tons. After Senegal dropped out, exporters are looking for other destinations that can take large quantities. This is not easy. For now, it is the British and the Ivorians who are taking the lead. The British were the largest buyers in week 3 with 3,658 tons of onions from the Netherlands. Ivory Coast followed with an import of 3,369 tons from the Netherlands. In week 4, the sales to Great Britain seem slightly smaller. The reason given is that the British first had to clear out the stocks from the first three weeks. This seems to happen quickly, because in week 5, the export is already trending back towards the level of week 3. Based on initial indications, Ivory Coast seems to show a similar development as Great Britain. With the understanding that the volume last week may have been slightly larger than in week 3. All in all, the export to Great Britain and Ivory Coast still looks very good. The British have already purchased nearly 90,000 tons of onions from the Netherlands this season. This equates to an average of 3,000 tons per week, which is very respectable. Ivory Coast has now exceeded an import of 150,000 tons, or over 5,000 tons per week. This puts the country on track to reach a record amount this year, just like Senegal has already done. Other countries that are currently ordering large quantities from the Netherlands are Malaysia, Guinea, and Gambia. The purchasing appetite from Mauritania seems to be weakening. In week 3, 2,500 tons of onions were still sent there.