New record value for Dutch onion exports

According to Holland Onions, exports for the 2022/23 season are expected to exceed EUR 500 million. Dutch onions are currently selling at record prices, mainly due to lower yields in Europe (-1 million tonnes) as well as elsewhere in the world where climatic conditions and the high cost of fertilizers have limited their use and reduced the production.

 

In the Netherlands, according to the final harvest estimate compiled by CBS, the gross yield in 2022 reached 1.2 million tonnes of onions. This is the lowest volume since 2019, but similar to that of 2013 and 2014. The harvest totaled 1 million tonnes of yellow onions and 200,000 tonnes of red onions, as well as 268,000 tonnes of onion plants.

 

As far as destination countries are concerned, Senegal leads the ranking ahead of the Ivory Coast and the United Kingdom. Europe is well represented with Belgium (17,000 tonnes more this season) which rose from 8th to 5th place. Germany rose from 11,500 to nearly 21,000 tonnes, Spain more than doubled its imports, and Portugal recorded the strongest growth, rising from 440 tonnes to over 3,600 tonnes.

 

Worldwide, production is estimated at 106 million tonnes, 92% of which are intended for the local market in producing countries, the total export market represents approximately 8%, ie 8.5 to 9 million tonnes. The Netherlands represents 20% of the international onion trade.