Increased onion yields loom

Increased acreage and yields of onions are forecast in both the UK and the Netherlands for the upcoming season, but growing conditions over the next six to eight weeks could yet have a major impact on the crop.

David Noton of Nationwide Produce told freshinfo: “Moisture levels were OK during drilling, but then the drought in April had an effect on establishment and some growers had to irrigate three times to get plants to germinate. The crops look well now but all that could change depending on the weather.”

He added that Dutch production has also increased in planted area. Estimates stand at between 11 and 20 per cent.