Onion exports fluctuate from week to week

Alternating weeks of four and five days show fluctuations in onion sales. This week has five working days and that means quite a bit of work for sorting and making onions ready for export. The latest figures from KCB and GroentenFruit Huis show a sharp dip. In week 18, according to provisional figures, about 15,000 tons were exported. Week 18 (end of April/beginning of May) was therefore the weakest period of this season for exporters, apart from the start in July last year when sales still had to get going. First indications show that weeks 19 and 20 were somewhat better again. Week 19 is estimated to be close to 20,000 tons. Week 20 falls slightly behind that, partly because of one less day, with around 18,000 tons. Week 21 is heading back toward 20,000 tons. Orders for the coming week are lagging a bit behind that again. In addition, Monday is Whit Monday, which will probably mean lower exports that week. After next week, June begins, a month in which sales traditionally decline. Several smaller sorters are shutting down their lines in the final weeks in preparation for the new season. On the other hand, some sorters hope to benefit from continued demand. Whether additional onions can still be exported in the final stretch of the season remains to be seen. Price pressure on coarse onions Meanwhile, the bag prices remain fairly stable at a admittedly low price level. There is pressure on the prices of the coarse sizes. On the other hand, the 50/70 millimeter size is selling well. Southern Europe is starting to drop off a bit, while demand from Eastern Europe is increasing. The DCA Benchmark Price for Packed Onions stabilizes for medium onions at €14 per 100 kilos. The 50/70 millimeter size is just above that at €15 per 100 kilos, while the 40/60 millimeter size is mostly traded for €12 to €13. Those last prices also apply to good three-ways. For the larger sizes, price pressure is visible. That is linked to lower sales to Great Britain and Southern Europe. Brazil also appears to be dropping out. Most of the 60/80 millimeter size is settled at €19 to €20 per 100 kilos. Supers are bringing in slightly less than in recent weeks. Where prices above €25 were still achieved earlier, that now seems to be the top of the market. Exports to Great Britain have eased somewhat since Easter to around 2,300 tons per week. That still makes it one of the main buyers in this period. In week 20, Brazil may top the export list, although figures confirming that are not yet available. Ivory Coast was also active on the market that week. In addition, there was still demand from Sierra Leone and Guinea in weeks 19 and 20.