Industry Leaders Emphasize Quality Amidst Adverse Growing Conditions
In a year marked by challenging growing conditions, the quality of onions emerges as a paramount concern for growers, processors, and breeders alike. Lindert Moerdijk, Sales Director at MSP Onions, and André Boot, Senior Onion Specialist at Hazera, underscore the significance of hardness and skin firmness while advocating for collaboration to navigate the complexities of the onion industry.
Reflecting on the past year, André acknowledges the hurdles faced by onion growers, including late sowing, sunburn issues during a hot summer, and unfavorable harvest weather that adversely affected internal onion quality. Lindert adds that nearly every batch of onions now exhibits internal rot, with internal sprouting posing a significant challenge due to suboptimal conditions for MH spraying during the dry summer.
Recognizing the evolving nature of onion cultivation, Lindert emphasizes the importance of treating onions as horticultural crops, catering directly to their specific needs to achieve consistent growth. However, he also raises questions about the long-term impact of climate change on growing conditions and the feasibility of anticipatory measures.
Investing in forward-thinking solutions, MSP Onions has implemented an optical sorting machine, enabling precise quality control and consistent delivery of onions with optimal hardness and skin firmness. Lindert highlights the increasing demand for high-quality onions, driving the need for stringent quality standards and presenting opportunities for Dutch growers.
André underscores the importance of onion varieties tailored to specific soil types, such as Hazera’s Vento, Dormo, and Centro, which excel in lighter sandy soils by maintaining firmness and storage efficiency. Both Hazera and MSP prioritize skin firmness in their varieties, ensuring consistent quality throughout the season and during processing.
The collaboration between MSP Onions and Hazera is founded on a shared commitment to elevating the Dutch onion industry and providing growers with expert advice and high-quality processing options. Lindert and André emphasize the necessity of close collaboration and knowledge-sharing to navigate the challenges and secure a prosperous future for the onion industry.
