In the Netherlands, Global Onions' Mateusz Maćkowski has no shortage of industry onions. "I think we'll still have onion sets until January or February," he says. "Most sorters are already switching to seed onions. We, however, still have plenty of leftover winter onions. There are quite a few iffy lots on the market, so we'll be taking whatever's left. That ensures there's more supply than demand. Currently, industry demand is quiet. Eastern Europe still has enough of its own product. It will remain quiet from that side until the end of October."
Global Onions supplies peelers, bakeries, drying plants, and meat and seasoning factories. They do more than 60% to Mateusz's native Poland. The rest goes mainly to the processing industry in Southern and Eastern Europe. Maćkowski has been active in the Dutch onion sector for 15 years now. And, since 2009, with his wife, under the name Global Onions. Over the years, volumes have increased enormously. "A good week used to be when we sold 100 tons. Nowadays, in a busy week, we sell 100 truckloads."
Becoming more sustainable
Yet, according to this onion trader, competition has not increased over the years. "The market is changing. But, especially overseas, many suppliers are still doing what they did five years ago. However, buyers now expect improved service, personal contact, and flexibility. The Dutch are generally quite flexible. But the French and Germans adapt a lot less easily."
Mateusz used the pandemic year as an opportunity to make a sustainability change. "I usually travel a lot. But we were home and in the office for a year. We had the time to tackle these issues. For example, all of our vehicles are electric. And we've made a deal with our regular transporter. They'll transport our onions in only the most modern, cleanest equipment."
Global Onions gets its onions from an established broker network. When they come across a batch of which they are unsure, they ask Mateusz to come and take a look. "Some lots are no longer suitable for the fresh market. But we can get customers for a slightly lower price. There are now so many onions on the market."
"There's, therefore, more supply, and I can pick out the largest onions. Sorters are rejecting lots of these onions, which benefits us too. The better quality lots are currently going to places like Italy. There, onion prices are still slightly higher. And the lower quality batches are going to Eastern Europe, where prices are very low."
In addition to Dutch onions, Global Onions sells onions from Egypt, New Zealand, and Chile too. "A few years back, we even sold plenty from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. But there should be enough European onions available this year. Besides, at present, it cost more for transportation of overseas onions than the product itself." Breeders, says Mateusz, have a critical task. "They must develop new, more extreme weather-resistant varieties."
He also expects the organic industry onion share to grow. "I think organic will become just as important as conventional. That's partly due to changing European regulations. In Eastern Europe, the industry wants around five percent organic. But in Belgium and France, it's already 12%. I expect the whole of Europe to move in that direction. That will also reduce the price difference between organic and conventional."
Optical sorting: an opportunity and a threat
Developments in the field of optical sorting present an opportunity and a threat, according to the trader. "You sometimes end up with a problematic batch. Optical sorting now takes care of some of that. But, we're interested in 3rd class onions and the waste. The new condenser dryers and crate storage also provide opportunities for us. That makes dry products available to us at the end of the season. And so, we can supply our clients with good onions until the very last day of the season. Without depending on imports from, say, Egypt," he concludes. (IH)
Global Onions
Spruitstraat 24
4401 BL Yerseke
www.globalonions.com
mateusz@globalonions.com