Onion harvest expected to reach 3 million tons in Europe

The onion harvest in the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland is showing positive signs, with Toine Stoop of Stoop AgroTrade predicting a strong season. Total cultivated areas across these three countries have reached 70,000 hectares. Based on an estimated average yield of 40 tons per hectare, the total production could reach approximately 3 million tons.

While some reports suggest a shortage of large onions, Stoop notes that availability varies by region, highlighting excellent harvests and plenty of large bulbs in Poland and Germany. Farmers in these areas are reportedly eager to sell to clear storage space for upcoming cycles.

Market outlook remains optimistic, particularly for red onions which are seeing rising demand. However, traders are watching the post-Christmas period closely, as Egyptian exporters are expected to enter the market and influence European pricing. To prevent excessive price increases, exporters suggest that buyers may turn to alternative products if costs rise too sharply.