Featured image: Walla Walla, WA packing photo, courtesy of Dan Borer with Keystone Fruit Marketing in Walla Walla, WA
MARKET
Bronx, NY:
Lou Getzelman with Canyon Sales Co. on the Hunts Point Market told us on June 19, “The market has been a touch shaky the past couple of weeks,” Lou said. “We completely finished with onions out of the northwest, and we’re now shipping onions primarily out of California and New Mexico. What we’ve seen out of Bakersfield looks very nice. There seems to be an adequate amount of everything around, but we would say that there are definitely more big onions than small onions. Feels like yellows have bottomed for now while reds have come off a little bit more this week.” He continued, “There are spot buys all over the place though so it is hard to tell, and those spot buys typically tend to end up in the terminal market. It’s that time of year where we try to really, really emphasize quality to our receivers, it is going to be very hot in California and New York end of this week. It is important that the onions that you’re buying can make the trip. Freight remains very steady out of California and we see no changes there.”
New Mexico/Mexico:
James Johnson with Carzalia Valley Produce in Columbus told us on June 19 that conditions are good, and shipping is ongoing in both growing regions. “New Mexico is in full swing, and some growers have finished with the fall seeded plantings,” he said. “Chihuahua is winding down also with short days and will be transitioning soon to intermediates. Mexico’s market is going up some, so a portion of that crop should be kept south of the border.” As for weather, he noted, “It looks like Zacatecas is expecting rain and should slow the harvest there. The heat was bad for a couple of days but has moderated back to more normal. It’s always hot and dry here in June.”
Organic Onions
Brad Sumner with Pacific Coast Trading Co. in Portland provided his report on June 19. “Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy…red hot, red onion market, both organic and conventional. I do not see relief on red onions until probably September when we get to the start of the storage deal. White organic onions are in a few hands, quality is good, and price is good. Demand is equal to supply at least on the jumbo size. Small organic whites are a dog typically.” He continued, “Organic yellow onions steady as she goes. Good demand, good market, good quality. Triple play! Our Baja California crop is still a bit delayed of course but yields and quality are looking good. Coachella is about finished up and the Lancaster crop will be here late July. All of those rows are progressing nicely.” He also noted, “The California Organic onion crop is in full swing, and a few of the country’s best onion growers are now packing orders and filling trucks. I am just looking for consistent supply and a steady market, so the Anejo only comes out on the weekends, LOL.”
Walla Walla, WA:
Dan Borer with Keystone Fruit Marketing reported in on June 19 from his Walla Walla, WA sales office. “We started packing on Monday, which is a typical start for us. Quality is very good, and the onions have a large profile. Customers are looking forward to getting them they are going to our normal retail customers.” He continued. “The red Rosé crop will be shipping later. It’s a very specialized crop, so our growers are watching those closely to harvest at just the right time. We expect to have a good market for this season’s Walla Walla crop, so there’s not much to complain about here.” Many thanks to Dan for sending in field and packing photos this week. Click images to enlarge.
California/Mexico/Washington:
John Vlahandreas with Wada Farms in Salem, OR, told us on June 19, saying, “Demand is so-so this week,” John said, “We’re shipping mostly out of California with some out of Mexico and a limited way out of Washington. Quality has been very good all along this year, and there are really not any complaints. There are plenty of onions out there with New Mexico going and a few sheds in Texas still moving onions from Mexico. Not a lot of sheds there but some. Still, the market does seem to be stabilizing at a reasonable level. I say that because, basically, it can’t go any lower. Any lower and growers simply will refuse to bring the onions in. Its tough to grow onions if you aren’t going to make money, and growers are just going to say no at any prices lower than where it is now. So it should level off or increase.” John continued. “Looking ahead, it looks like the Northwest might get going in earnest mid-July, so we’ll just have to see how the next couple of weeks go.” On transportation, John said, “Freight’s easy. Truck rates a little expensive, but you can book a truck without a problem.”
Arizona/New Mexico/California/Mexico/Spain:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID, provided on June 19. “We’re shipping out of Arizona, New Mexico, California, Mexico through Texas and from Spain for our East Coast customers from New York to Miami,” Rick said. “For our customers that order onions from Spain, there is a two-week transit time, but they will differ from a traditional summer onion. They have a good skin set, so transit won’t be an issue. Just be aware of the timing when ordering.” Rick continued, “Demand this week has been steady. Buyers are buying a little bit of everything, but mediums and prepacks are the big push. We haven’t seen a big pull for the 4th of July holiday. That will most likely come next week, but you know, it’s hard to gauge how people even do with holidays anymore, so we don’t hold our breath.” When asked about the market, Rick said, “The market seems to be settled and is holding, so we’re good there.” And he added, “Freight’s easy; reefers, Conestoga’s, flatbeds, all depending on the lane.” Rick ended his report with, “We have shallots, cippolinis, and pearls? Come on, let’s go!”
Washington:
We were happy to catch up with Hayden Bingham with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, on June 19, and he told us, “Our company is shipping out of Bakersfield with all three colors and all sizes,” he said. “Demand has been somewhat sluggish, but on our end, we have not complaints. We’re staying busy. Quality remains very good.” On the market, Hayden said, “The market seems a little depressed right now, and pricing has been all over the place. There are definitely some deals out there.” On transportation, Hayden said, “We aren’t having any problem getting the trucks we need.”
