Looking back at the onion growing season of 2021
Looking back on the onion growing season of 2021, now that (almost) all onions are off the land, buyers Remko Wilms, Jelmer Elzinga and Harmjan Hospers discuss their thoughts. “The fact that the reels didn’t have to go on the land in the first place” was initially well received by most farmers, according to Harmjan. The 23-year-old is also a grower in addition to being a purchaser and took part in the crop tour with his onions. The crop tour of 2021 consists of 8 parcels spread over the Netherlands, with yellow seed onions.
“Beautiful colour”
Even though the growing season is described as “qualitatively challenging”, the men are very optimistic about the colour of the onions. Remko “Due to the beautiful sunny weeks during the harvest, the colour of the onions is beautiful this year.” This year’s sizes are also not disappointing. Even though the early parcels were fine, the later plots make up a lot.
In storage
Loading onions, Meirink
The buyers notice that the mildew, due to precipitation and the high humidity, creates challenges in storage. The affected foliage can also inhibit the sprout inhibitor from reaching the core of the onions properly. Remko indicates that setting up a germination test provides insight into the storability of the batch in a simple way. You can read how to set up a good germination test in this article. Mildew also seems to give a second chance to bacteria, just like hail damage.
Remko also sees that the high amount of precipitation in a short period in the middle of the onion growing season and the cold in April and May” still poses challenges in storage. Typically, we do not recommend blowing on the onions unnecessarily, but it may be wise to dry well for a week longer than usual this year. Remko’s advice is in line with the earlier article by Wim Waterman.
The market
Pink onions, Rosanna Mesken
What Jelmer is undoubtedly optimistic about is the market. “We see a good mood in the market this year for coarse onions, and there are always opportunities for good white, yellow onions. Although the onion market is ultimately more positive than many people thought at the beginning of the year, the buyers do not see the onion acreage in 2022 making the same step in acreage as in previous years. “I would advise growers to get advice early on about the onion seed varieties they want to plant in the new season.”
Waterman Onions, cutting board
And for conveying this advice, the Waterman buyers are happy that the corona is over again. “It’s nice that we can drink a cup of coffee at the grower’s kitchen table again.” That they missed “making a cup of coffee” in corona is apparent when Harmjan immediately indicates to drink the coffee “black” and Jelmer suggests that “the coffee can be replaced for tea”.
And for conveying this advice, the Waterman buyers are happy that the corona is over again. “It’s nice that we can drink a cup of coffee at the grower’s kitchen table again.” That they missed “a cup of coffee” in corona is apparent when Harmjan immediately indicates to drink the coffee “black” and Jelmer suggests that “the coffee can be replaced for tea”.
So, if you would like advice on the onions in storage, set up a germination test or would like to obtain advice for the new season, the buyers of Waterman are ready.
Prefer to get advice online? Uienzaadonline.nl is once again ready for growers this year with excellent service, good prices, and an extensive range of onion varieties.
