Featured image: Robert Dasher with G&R Farms welcomes NOA guests on a recent NOA convention tour. The photo is courtesy of Chris Woo with Owyhee Produce in Parma, ID. More photos are included below.
MARKET
Colorado Western Slope/Corinne, UT:
Tim Bull with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, told us on December 11 that the Corinne deal will wrap up this week, now shipping only yellows. The Western Slope will go another few weeks, he said. “We’re shipping strong out of Colorado with all three colors,” Tim said. “We’re seeing a lot of good mixer business and will run until about Christmas.” Tim said, “The market is steady, with no changes in the last week, and we’re starting to get a little Christmas pull. But trucks are starting to get a little iffy. It’s Christmas tree season, and there’s been some bad weather. Routing the trucks is a challenge.”
Washington/Oregon/Idaho:
John Vlahandreas with Wada Farms in Salem, OR, told us on December 11, saying, “Things are getting busier,” John said, “The next couple of weeks will tell us a lot how the market is going go after the holidays. Right now, we are selling a little bit of everything. Retail is ordering quite a bit because they need things on the shelves. Foodservice should follow because after Christmas, there is a lot of dining out with the New Year.” John continued, “Pricing on white onions continue to increase, and again, this next couple of will tell us a lot on where the market is going. With Christmas fallin in the middle of the week and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the middle as well, you’re looking at the possibility of shortened run days. These shippers have employees that they have to think of too, and that may impact production times, and if buyers can’t get what they need because shippers are running short days, there could be a chance of creating a false market and if it moves up too quickly there is a chance it could come down too quickly too. I think it’s just one of these deals that we have to consider having a great Christmas off and a great News Year’s off, but then getting back to work. The holidays are tough and its family time, but people need to work too. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out. For now, the market for the most part is steady and the orders are coming in. We just need to keeping going.” John also commented on transportation. “Freight is bad this time of year as always. Drivers don’t like to work during the holidays either. All we can do is get things as lined out as possible and reduce the headaches.”
Idaho-E. Oregon
Marc Bybee with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, gave Eagle Eye’s update on December 11. “It feels like we are slowly exiting the post-Thanksgiving reboot and returning to our normal marketing pace,” Marc said, “Historically this tracks as a normal sales situation and order interest for the end of the week and early next week is ramping up as we speak. Quality seems much better than the past 2 seasons. There are occasional lots with problems but we know where they are and how to handle them to meet the marketing requirements as well as customers’ demands. High-quality whites seem to be getting harder to find.” Marc continued, “White onions are tight but we are managing our inventory (within EEP) stringently to insure we have what is needed to get through the season. Reds seem like they could be next up to become harder to find. Mediums of any color can still be a challenge to find at times.” On transportation, he added, “Transportation is likely the biggest issue right now. Freight rates are up because of weather and Christmas-related issues. Fuel has been headed down so hopefully we can ride out this next 10 days and see rates lower afterwards.” Finally, Marc said, “It will be interesting to see if the white market explodes upward soon. If that happens, exports headed down south could shift more to yellow usage and make the yellow market go up some as well. There seems to be a lot of positives in play. If things come together well and we continue to market smartly we could likely see the needed increase in price coming soon. I will just add my favorite Yellowstone quote of the week…Dreams don’t work unless you do. It’s going to take good marketing (from most all of us) to improve pricing.”
Idaho/Washington/Oregon/Utah/North Dakota/Michigan
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID told us on December 11 that demand has been good this week. “We continue to move Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, North Dakota, and Michigan,” Rick said. “Demand Monday and Tuesday was good, but it’s been a little quiet this morning. I think we are looking at the calm before the final storm. Buyers are looking for everything from Colossals on down to prepacks.” On the market, Rick commented, “There seems to be spot buys on yellows if shippers have a full floor, but it is just spot buys. Reds are hanging in there and stable. Whites are strong and pricing is depending a lot on availability and quality. Exports have slowed down some, so they aren’t having as strong of an impact on the market right now.” Rick also commented on transportation this week saying, “Freight is getting pricey, and with the holidays falling mid-week the way they are, it’s important that everyone plan and get their orders on the books. Planning is going to make the difference here.” Finally, Rick said, “Remember, we have boilers, Cipollinis and pearls. Don’t be shy… let’s go!”
Washington
Hayden Bingham with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, told us on December 11, “Demand out of Warden has been steady for the last two month,” Hayden said. “We continue to ship all colors and sizes. Quality continues to be good and we aren’t having any issues. Jumbo whites are still a hot item Reds are doing well on the market and yellows seem to be steady.” Hayden also commented on freight this week. “Trucks are getting tough. Prices are increasing and they are getting tricky to find. It’s important that orders get in for the holidays so everything runs smoothly.”
CROP
Tampico/Texas Rio Grande Valley:
Tim Bull with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said on December 11 that both Tampico, Mexico, and South Texas crops are looking very good. “Tampico could start around the first of February,” he said, adding, “It’s a really nice crop.” The Rio Grande Valley crop is also very nice,” Tim said. “We’ve had good weather and some rain, and everything is coming along.”
NOA Annual Conference Coverage by Chris Woo
Chris Woo with Owyhee Produce in Parma, ID sent in photos from the NOA Convention held this week in Savannah, GA. Chris commented that the convention was well-attended, and the schedule was full. “The conference meetings and tours were great,” Chris said. “It was nice to see all the younger generation participating. The food safety meeting was beneficial and the NOA is working on future statements for FDA and CDC food-born illness findings. Everyone enjoyed the tours as well. Special thanks to RT and Diane Stanley for hosting a wonderful dinner at their home.” Many thanks to Chris for sending the photos. Click the images to enlarge and for the photo description.