IEO:
Grant Kitamura, GM of Murakami Produce in Ontario, says, “It appears that the transition from the southwest has been smooth. Customers have made the switch to the Northwest with Southwest supplies dwindling, so much so that there is no reporting on Market News.” He said Idaho-Eastern Oregon shipping continues to be two weeks ahead of schedule.
According to a report provided on Aug. 20 at the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association shippers meeting, onion shipments are up over last year and reported to be up on the three-year average as well. The area has not reported any export shipments to date.
For onion processing, Tim Burnett of Dickinson Frozen Foods located in Fruitland, ID, said his firm had been extremely busy for the month of August and said he expects the pace to continue.
Washington:
Larry Baumann, owner of L&L Ag Production in Connell, WA, reported has been shipping since mid-July, and demand and shipments have been steady to date. He added that the quality of the early onions has been good, and though sizing has been affected, it is not to the degree predicted. Baumann noted that customers will have good access to mediums and small jumbos this season. L&L Ag Production will begin harvesting storage onions on Monday, Aug. 31.
Utah:
Brad Dahl, sales/owner of Utah Onions Inc. in Syracuse, UT, said harvest will start a week to 10 days from Aug. 27, and he said the crop is average in yields and size profile. The primarily yellow onion crop is mostly seeded, and Dahl said Utah Onions will ship fresh and also put onions into storage.
Shipping season is Sept. 1 through the end of March, he said.