Changes to DCA Benchmark Price for packed onions

DCA Market Intelligence has decided to adjust the calculation and publication of the DCA Benchmark Price for packed onions with effect from week 5.

From this week onwards, one price per size category will be published. This average price replaces the current method of publishing a price range based on a minimum and maximum price for onions. The calculation method of the DCA Benchmark Price for packed onions will also be adjusted.

According to Eric de Lijster, Head of PRA at DCA Market Intelligence, these changes reflect market developments and the company’s internal policy. “Our DCA Benchmark Price for packed onions is compiled based on price input from Dutch trading companies in yellow onions. For some time, we have observed that these market participants increasingly provide average prices rather than minimum and maximum prices. This makes it a logical moment to align the DCA Benchmark Price with this trend and move towards publishing average prices,” says De Lijster.

For its other price assessments, including dairy, pigs and manure, DCA Market Intelligence already works with calculated average prices based on the standard deviation method. This more standardised method will also be applied to the benchmark prices for packed onions from week 5 onwards. “This allows us to harmonise all our price assessments using one calculation method, enabling us to work in a transparent and consistent manner,” De Lijster explains.

The price range will not disappear entirely from the publication. Alongside the new average price for packed Dutch onions, DCA Market Intelligence will continue to publish the price range on which the assessment is based. “In this way, our customers retain insight into the price range and therefore into market movements,” De Lijster concludes.

The DCA Benchmark Price for packed onions is published for subscribers on Boerenbusiness.nl and on the DCA Market Intelligence market information platform.