The Netherlands exported around 200,000 tonnes of onions during the period 9 July-17 September, according to new figures released by Dutch farming body Productschap Tuinbouw.
The figure was 18,000 tonnes higher than in the same 10 weeks of 2011 and 11,000 tonnes more than in the corresponding period of 2009/10, which was a record season for the Dutch onion export industry.
During week 38 this year, the country set a new record for onion sales to foreign markets, shipping a total of 27,000 tonnes in just seven days.
The trade has apparently been boosted in recent months by increasing demand in particular from markets in Asia
A recent trade mission organised by export association Frugi Venta in cooperation with promotions agency GroentenFruit Bureau and horticultural partnership Greenport Holland saw a delegation of 10 Chinese retail representatives – including Tesco and Carrefour – meet with suppliers in the Netherlands.
Part of the tour included a visit to onion sorting and packing company Monie, followed by a tour of loading and quality control facilities at the port of Kloosterboer, from where a large volume of onions is shipped abroad.
