Onion exports remain on track for new seasonal record

With ten weeks remaining in the season, 1.19 million tonnes of Dutch onions have been exported. In addition, 77,000 tonnes of foreign onions have also been exported via the Netherlands. This is according to preliminary figures from KCB and GroentenFruit Huis.The latest available figures relate to week 16, the second full week of April. During that week, 21,473 tonnes of Dutch onions were exported. In addition, 630 tonnes of foreign onions were shipped abroad via the Netherlands.Côte d’Ivoire was the largest buyer in week 16, importing 2,720 tonnes. Sales to Great Britain fell to 2,147 tonnes that week. Following Easter, British imports of Dutch onions declined significantly compared with previous weeks.Relatively strong sales volumes to Israel, Brazil, Italy and Spain helped push total exports in week 16 comfortably above 20,000 tonnes. Mauritania also contributed, importing more than 1,000 tonnes during the week.Export indications for weeks 17 and 18 suggest that trade has been somewhat quieter over the past two weeks. Brazil still purchased large volumes in week 17, but exports to that country had already declined again last week. Israel was also less active in the market than during the previous three weeks.Nevertheless, Dutch onion exports remain on course to set a new record this season. Despite a quieter week, the 1.2 million tonne mark will be surpassed in week 17. With ten weeks still to go, exports of more than 1.3 million tonnes are within reach.Foreign onionsDutch exports of foreign onions fluctuate considerably. In the week after Easter, volumes were still below 300 tonnes, whereas in the week before Easter they were close to 1,300 tonnes. These mainly concerned Belgian onions that were re-exported to other destinations via the Netherlands.In total, the Netherlands has marketed around 42,300 tonnes of Belgian onions abroad this season. In addition, large quantities of German onions have also been exported via the Netherlands, with volumes this season already slightly exceeding 23,500 tonnes. France and Egypt follow, each supplying just under 5,000 tonnes that have ultimately been shipped onwards via the Netherlands. These foreign onions are mainly destined for Guinea, which has received just over 24,000 tonnes this season. Just under 17,000 tonnes have been supplied via the Netherlands to Côte d’Ivoire. Fewer than 10,000 tonnes of foreign onions have ultimately been shipped to Senegal.