Due to 
a lack of rain and a persistent drought, the German onion harvest is quite disappointing this year. For some member companies of the Mitteldeutscher Zwiebelkontor, the yield has roughly halved, and additionally, large-sized produce is relatively scarce at the moment. "From Eastern Europe we have already received inquiries for oversized goods, but unfortunately we could deliver. We are now focusing on supplying the domestic market," says Hendrik Hachmann, sales manager at the company.
This year's weather conditions have also led to a decline in the quality of the yellow onions, Hachmann continues. "After weeks of drought, it started raining around harvest time, which is why we had to postpone harvesting. Due to undersizing and quality issues, there will be significantly less storable product this year. Until February-March, we will probably be able to meet the supply in the 40-60 / 35-55 grades, but from April on, things could get tricky. Last year we were able to supply regional onions into July, but will not happen this year."
Yellow onions of grades 40-60 / 35-55 currently sell for 0.36-0.38 euros/kg. Meanwhile, the rising electricity prices can impact every Zwiebelkontor member company differently, but they are nevertheless already making themselves with regard to the onion drying processes.
Pleasing red onion supply situation
In contrast to yellow onions, red onions in the average 50-70 calibers are abundant this year, he said. "Last year, the marketing season for red onions already ended in March, which is why we expanded our acreage. So now we have larger volumes available," says Hachmann. In contrast, the Zwiebelkontor capacity for yellow onions has remained virtually unchanged.
In addition to yellow and red onions, Mitteldeutsches Zwiebelkontor is also responsible for marketing regional shallots, white onions and sweet onions. Hachmann: "In the case of shallots, there are lower yields this year and a relatively high proportion of smaller onions. The same is true for white onions." White onions are more of a niche market, according to Hachmann. "Sweet onions, meanwhile, seem to be gaining in importance and are increasingly popular. Regarding regular onions, we see a strong trend toward varieties that are well suited for long-term storage and able to cope with dry weather. We are also proactively promoting this variety development with trials and projects."
Mitteldeutsches Zwiebelkontor Ltd is primarily dedicated to the cultivation and marketing of conventional onions, with organic cultivation accounting for just a modest portion of the total volume.
Supraregional marketing
Nevertheless, the sales department of Mitteldeutsches Zwiebelkontor Ltd is looking ahead confidently. "Until two to three weeks ago, our storable 5kg-containers were in high demand. Additionally, there have already been one or two inquiries from southern Germany, while the retailers there usually only let themselves be heard near the end of the year. Labor and energy costs naturally hover over the onion sector like the sword of Damocles, but fortunately we have not encountered any serious problems so far."
Images: Mitteldeutsches Zwiebelkontor GmbH
For more information:
Hendrik Hachmann
Mitteldeutsches Zwiebelkontor GmbH
Brumbyer Weg 34-40
D-39240 Calbe/Saale
+49 (0) 39 291 - 46 53 04
info@zwiebelkontor.de
www.zwiebelkontor.de