Featured image: Idaho onion crop progress at Zito Farms located in Glenns Ferry, ID, photo courtesy of Jared and Mikki Zito with Zito Farms
MARKET
California/New Mexico/Washington:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, said that Eagle Eye will be shipping out of California and New Mexico until Aug. 14. “We are still shipping out of California and New Mexico, and we just got started out of Washington in a small way with yellows,” he said. “Truthfully, our company is pretty busy this week, but we are seeing that buyers are trying to see where the markets will land with the transition in play. With the heat in California and looking at the end of the season in both California and New Mexico, shippers are looking to finish, and they are pushing the onions out there. Buyers are trying to see how it all shakes out.” Jason commented on quality, noting, “We are still seeing very good quality coming out of California and New Mexico, and we are very excited about the new crop quality out of Washington. The quality is great, and the sizing is also very nice.”
Walla Walla:
Michael Locati with Locati Farms and Pacific Agra Farms said on Aug. 2, crews had wrapped up the 2023 Walla Walla Sweet harvest. “We finished our Walla Walla harvest last Thursday,” he said. “We will have a few onions left that we will fill out as we transition to domestic sweets, which we have been receiving.” Michael added, “No gap here.” Michael said the Walla Walla season was good all in all, noting, “We are happy with the movement and the pricing. We wish we had more onions, but we are grateful for the ones we had.”
New Mexico/Chihuahua, Mexico:
James Johnson with Carzalia Valley Produce in Columbus told us on Aug. 2 his 2023 onions have been spared by the season’s widespread weather systems. “The rains have left us alone for the most part this harvest season, and things are progressing quite well,” he said. “We should finish with the last of the Chihuahua crop this week. Prices in Mexico are pretty high right now – couple that with a weak dollar to peso, and we may be setting up for a strong export to Mexico market. Most of New Mexico will be wrapping up in the next two weeks. Quality has held up in spite of the heat.”
New Mexico/California/Washington:
Matt Murphy with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, told us on Aug. 2 that his team has finished up with shipments in California, and it was the last day packing in New Mexico. “We are finished with our California shipments, and we should be finished up with New Mexico by the end of the week,” Matt said. “We just started packing in a light way with our Warden, WA, shed today. The onions look great, and the size profile actually looks bigger than normal, so we are really excited to get going there.” He continued, “Demand is a little off this week, and the markets are also a little off. There are a few more onions left in California and New Mexico than anticipated, and it’s transition time – so it’s really no surprise that things are a little weak on demand and the market. It’s nothing drastic, and there isn’t any worry. This is pretty normal for this time of year.” Matt added, “We’re so excited to get ramped up with the Northwest and looking forward to a great season!”
Idaho/Washington/California/New Mexico/Mexico:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID, told us on Aug. 2 that it’s the “dog days of summer.” He said, “We are in transition mode right now, and demand seems a little off this week. There are still plenty of onions coming out of Cali and New Mexico, and we have some nice whites moving in from Mexico.” Rick added, “Idaho and Washington have started shipping in a small way, and all the onions out there are making the markets a little soft. Not a huge deal on a transition.” And he said, “Of course, I recommend everyone just keep on buying. We need to help our growers. Plus, we have great quality pearls out of Idaho with new crop coming around in about four weeks.” On transportation, Rick said it’s been easy. “Trucks are plentiful and super easy to book, so get your orders in!”
Washington:
Cody Anderson with L&L Ag Production in Connell, WA told us on Aug. 2 that harvest has been slow and steady so far. “Our early crop in Pasco looks solid,” Cody said. “Everything seems like it’s a bit earlier this year. We’re fortunate to have had near ideal weather all season long in the Basin. We’ll be getting into our storage crop in the next few weeks.” Cody continued. We’re pleased with how things look right now and excited to see how some newer varieties finish.” Cody noted, “We are thankful to have a great group at the farm and at the packing shed that makes our program as unique as it is. Our new camera system at Target has been performing well so far.” Many thanks to Cody for sharing photos of transplant onion harvest in Pasco. Click images to enlarge and scroll.
CROP
Idaho:
Jared and Mikki Zito with Zito Farms in Glenns Ferry, ID, told us on Aug. 2 the farm is getting ready to kick off its 2023 harvest next week. Mikki wrote, “The crop is coming along nicely, and with the help of Mother Nature we have maintained great plant health that has generated a great stand as well as a sizeable crop. Our hope is that growers, packers and shippers in our region will utilize storages to maintain a profitable market.” She added, “We look forward to and are proud to be shipping out an American-grown product.” Our thanks to Jared and Mikki for the report and the photos this week! Click images to enlarge and scroll.
Idaho-E. Oregon:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, said that Eagle Eye will be shipping out of Idaho and Eastern Oregon starting Aug. 14. “We are putting more size on the onions here in the last couple of weeks in Idaho and Eastern Oregon, and the onions look awesome,” He added, “The onions are in excellent condition, and the size profile is larger than we’ve had in the last couple of years. We are very excited to get going and anticipate a great season!” Check out a few of Eagle Eye’s “Grower Spotlight” images below highlighting Bret Neilson and his farm in Adrian, OR. You can watch the video this week in their feature story and click images to enlarge and scroll.
Western Oregon:
Ryan Bennett with Northwest Onion Company in Brooks, OR, told us on August 2 that Western Oregon is coming right along. “We’ve had ideal conditions this summer so far to get caught up from such a late planting date,” Ryan said. “Looks like we have about two weeks left to put some size on before they start shutting down. Overall the onions in the Willamette Valley have the potential to be really nice with harvest dates expected around the 1st of September. I have my helper out changing water with me this evening. By far the cutest irrigator in the valley!” Many thanks to Ryan for sending the “cute little irrigator” photo with his report.
Colorado Western Slope/Corinne, UT:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said his Colorado grower anticipates a Sept. 10-15 start-up with all colors and sizes available. Corinne will kick off its season Oct. 10, Don Ed said.
Colorado/Kansas:
Matt Murphy with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, told us on August 2 that L&M’s Colorado and Kansas programs will get going around Sept. 1. “Our Colorado and Kansas programs had some weather delays, so we’ll get going a little later than normal. The crop looks good, and we’ll be up and running for Labor Day.”
N. California/W. Oregon/E. Oregon Seed:
Robert Bell with Western Onion told us on Aug. 2 a mishap in N. California caused a loss of the seed crop there this year, but other areas are faring well. “We lost all our 10-acre seed material in NoCal when the applicator applied herbicide instead of fungicide,” Robert said. “It set us back another year in.” He continued, “The crop in Brooks, OR, looks very good, and we should get a nice selection of mother bulbs there. Unfortunately, all our A and B lines for the cross with these mother bulbs were killed in NoCal.” And he said, “OSU transplant trial [in Malheur County] looked good but not ready yet.”
