Onion market faces further pressure despite already low prices

Quality and destination lead to very different prices in the onion market. Something for everyone: very sharp prices when necessary and higher prices when good quality is desired. Prices for onions are already low, but they can go even lower. Urgent supply can be sold at very sharp prices. As long as it goes away, is the motto. On the other hand, sorters note that onions are now coming onto the market that are better in quality than a month ago. That indicates that growers with good onions no longer have confidence that pricing will pick up. They too want to part with their product. Combined with the poorer quality that also needs to find its way, this means that quite a lot is still happening in the onion market. Last month The last month of the trading season has begun. One sorter is already ending the season to prepare for a new trading year. In the coming weeks, more small sorters will halt activities for a summer break or for renovations. Large companies continue, albeit at a lower pace. Things have become somewhat quieter in sales since the end of last week, although trade continues to take place. Romania, Ivory Coast, Congo and Sierra Leone are, after Great Britain, the most important destinations at the moment. In addition, some product is also being cleared to Poland. A problem there is transport. Holidays make that even more difficult. This week Sacrementsdag caused less transport capacity. Wide range Exporters and sorters can currently meet a wide range of wishes. They can offer very sharp prices, but buyers must take into account that the product must quickly reach a final destination. With a small sprout starting, there is not much longer to wait. On the other hand, there are buyers who want good quality. That is possible, but more has to be paid for it. The result is that the price range becomes larger. For medium sizes, prices vary, depending on quality and destination, from €10 to €15 per 100 kilos. For large onions this is between €15 and €20 per 100 kilos. The DCA Benchmark Price for Packed Onions comes to €13,50 per 100 kilos this week for medium onions. For large onions that is €18,50 per 100 kilos. Compared with last week, the differences are small. The medium size is slightly higher, while large onions are a fraction cheaper. New harvest The new harvest is approaching. This week the first winter onions were lifted and loaded. Sellers want to offer the first onions for €40 per 100 kilos in the bale. After that, depending on the lifting conditions (supply) and demand in the market, the price is expected to decline.