European onion production has dropped significantly—and red onions are in especially short supply. Prices are spiking across multiple markets, and buyers are paying a premium for larger sizes (over 60mm). For growers who can meet this demand, the opportunity is clear. But capturing it starts with one simple step: sorting your onions accurately.
A Historic Shortage, A Historic Opportunity
The 2022/23 Dutch onion export season is shaping up to be a historic year—not because of volume, but because of value. Reduced production across most European onion-producing countries has created an unprecedented shortage, particularly for red onions.
The numbers tell the story. Dutch onion exports in 2022/23 could exceed $550 million for the first time in history. Prices have spiked in several European markets in a short period of time. And demand is shifting toward larger red onions (over 60mm), which are commanding premium prices.
"Size is key with red onions, and there is always more demand for larger products", says Jan Franje, a Dutch onion farmer with decades of experience. "Supply has lagged behind demand this season, so larger onions are more expensive."
But here's the challenge: this year's onions are smaller due to climate conditions. The gap between what buyers want and what growers have is wider than ever. For growers who can sort their harvest effectively—separating the larger, premium onions from the smaller ones—the reward is a price premium that could make this season one of the most profitable in years.
Why Sorting Matters More Than Ever
A shortage doesn't automatically translate into profit. If you can't deliver what buyers are looking for, the opportunity passes you by.
For red onion growers, the priority is clear: identify and separate the larger onions (60mm+) that buyers are willing to pay a premium for. Manual sorting is too slow and too inconsistent, especially when every hour counts during peak harvest.
A mechanical onion grader changes the equation. It processes tons of onions per hour, sorting each one by diameter with minimal error. The result: consistent grades, faster throughput, and the ability to capture the premium that larger onions command in a tight market.
Roller Grader: Reliable, Efficient, Precise
Fstsort's onion roller grader is designed for packers who need accurate diameter sorting at high volume. It uses a series of forward-moving rollers with gradually widening gaps. Smaller onions fall through first. Larger onions continue to the end. Each size exits through its own outlet.
Why it's the right choice for this season:
Feature | What It Means for Your Operation |
|---|---|
6–8 tons per hour | Process your harvest quickly—no bottlenecks, no delays |
4–5 adjustable grades | Separate large (60mm+) from medium and small—capture the premium |
Gentle handling | Food-grade rollers and soft materials protect onion skin—no bruising, no damage |
Adjustable gaps | Fine-tune grade sizes as market demand shifts |
Simple operation | Workers get up to speed fast—no complex training required |
The roller grader handles round and oval onions with consistent accuracy. For flat purple onions, a drum grader would be the better choice. But for red onions—the variety most affected by this season's shortage—the roller grader is the ideal fit.
For growers who need to process larger volumes or require even higher precision, Fstsort also offers screen sizers for additional flexibility. Each machine can be customized with additional modules—air blower for removing loose skins, automatic box filling or bagging systems—to build a complete packing line.
Explore the full specifications on our onion sorting grading machine page →