Long storage of onions is not rewarded

Every season is different. That is once again clearly shown when we place the tail end of this onion sales season next to last year. Last year this week (22) there were no quotations from the regional exchanges because the supply was almost exhausted. Now it is important for both growers and sorters to be rid of the onions from the 2025 harvest before the new ones arrive. In week 21 of 2025, Middenmeer and Emmeloord quoted respectively €44 and €46 at the top end for the coarse yellow onions as the last price of the season. Keeping that in mind, it is not so strange that both growers and traders have taken the gamble that long storage of onions could also be rewarded this season. Past results do not guarantee future performance, the warning that investors always receive, also applies in the onion sector. The top end of the coarse onions stands at €12,50 at both Goes and Emmeloord, but selling onions for that price now is practically no longer possible. Even for very good quality produce, processors are bidding below ten cents. The season is fizzling out, is the remark coming from various sides when it comes to the onion market. A fair amount of onions has deteriorated in quality and exports are simply good for this time of year. Still, there are more than enough good onions in storage with growers to meet demand for onions. For growers, it is bitter that an expensive crop that has been carefully tended for a year now has to go at whatever the market will pay. New ones are on the way That does not mean that nothing at all is still possible in the onion market. The first winter seed onions will soon be harvested, but these are generally not the strongest onions for export to distant destinations. The weather also has to cooperate of course in order to be able to lift and load them. That the grower price for onions from the 2025 harvest will rise is not likely, but that it is by definition a lost cause as some make it out to be is not certain either. Of course, we are talking about top-quality onions that should still be able to stay in storage for a few more weeks. Trade in seed onions from the coming harvest is still quiet. Both growers and sorters are a bit waiting and seeing. For the very early (winter) seed onions there is also a fair amount of contracting work and Egypt has started fairly sharply with the new onions from that country. First see what demand is going to do, say various sorters. Short week Most sorting companies and exporters are not very busy. In the Netherlands, Monday was of course Whit Monday. In the Muslim countries, the Feast of Sacrifice is being celebrated this week. It could be that those holidays also give a somewhat distorted picture. Be that as it may, according to insiders it is a matter of looking for customers and for onions that fit them. Within Europe you can still take a bit of a chance when it comes to sprouting. For overseas destinations where onions are in transit for longer, that risk is too great according to some exporters. The DCA Benchmark for Packed Onions is under some pressure this week. It is mainly the finer medium sizes and triplets where sales are difficult. Because various sorters have bought onions from 50 mm at the grower, some are also more willing to take liberties with these sizes and that also explains the fairly wide price range.