Featured image: Tampico, Mexico crop progress, photo courtesy of David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX
MARKET
Washington:
Matt Murphy with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, told us on Nov. 30 his company’s Warden, WA, demand is good this week. “Demand’s been pretty normal,” Matt said. “Overall, it might be off, but we only packed three days last week, and we are playing a bit of catch-up. So it feels brisker this week having to push some orders from last week into this week.” He said demand should remain strong into Christmas. “Demand for jumbo yellow and larger has been very good. Some have been talking the market down, but it hasn’t come off, and it’s been staying strong and steady. We don’t have any complaints, and things are looking very good for the holidays.” Matt said if things go according to plan, they should be able to finish their Washington deal in April. “We started going strong early in the season, and if we keep this good and steady pace, we should be able to go until April and make a smooth transition to our California program in the spring.”
Idaho-E. Oregon/Washington:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, reported in on Nov. 30. “Demand for us has been steady this week,” Jason said. “We’re moving all colors and sizes. The market has remained steady, too. Although there is room for the market to move up, I think it will depend on what other areas will do.” He continued, “Our quality has been very good. While trucks are super expensive, we have no problem getting them. So honestly, we are in a good spot right now, and we really don’t have much to complain about.”
Idaho/Washington/Oregon/Utah/Michigan:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID, told us on Nov. 30 that he is selling onions out of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Michigan. “I have been moving quite a few mediums and consumers,” he said. “Colossals are selling well, too. Medium reds out of Michigan have been moving well.” Rick added, “There is a freight advantage to the East Coast, and that helps. The quality from all areas has been very good, so no complaints there.” Rick noted there is a slight lull in demand this week. “I think buyers are coming off of Thanksgiving, and it translated to a dip in demand, but you do have the consistent program business which keeps things moving along. But there are a lot of sheds that are only packing four days a week to extend their season. It’s just another weird year.” On the market side, Rick commented that it’s steady. “People are trying to talk down the market, but it’s stayed steady.” On freight, Rick said trucks are plentiful. “I’m not sure what it is – maybe the recession is here. I don’t know, but it has been super easy to get trucks.”
Idaho-E. Oregon:
Joshua Frederick with Snake River Produce in Nyssa, OR, reported in on Nov. 30 to say, “Hard to believe that we are closing out week 14 already for the 2022/2023 season here at SRP. Things have definitely picked up production-wise, and the market is holding steady.” Josh continued, “Transportation has its issues every winter out of our area, and now with $6 diesel that does not help the fact. But overall shipments are still being picked up in a timely manner. Customers are just having to pay the rate if they want their shipments delivered – and with rail strike up in the air, this transportation deal will probably get worse before it gets better.” He went on to say, “We should see the market overall hold steady for the remainder of this year and a slight increase should begin as we get to the new year. Have a blessed week and Happy December!”
Steve Baker with Baker & Murakami Produce in Ontario, OR, told us on Nov. 30 that demand has eased off somewhat. “Demand seems to be off slightly after the holiday as of midweek,” he said. “One reason demand might be off is the possibility of a rail strike. Both shippers and buyers are sitting on their hands waiting to see if things get resolved before the Dec. 9 strike deadline.” He added that demand “on larger sized onions in all colors seem to be doing better than medium-sized onions.” Steve also said, “We never really saw a big Thanksgiving Day push on business. It remains to be seen if the Christmas holiday business will be similar as in years past.” Quality and appearance have been very good, he said, and Steve noted, “The market remains steady at this time. There has been very little movement on pricing the past few weeks.” And he said that truck transportation “has been adequate for what our needs are.”
Colorado Western Slope/Utah:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, told us on Nov. 30, “We’ve had good business all week in both Colorado and Utah. Quality is awesome, and sizes are large.” Don Ed said transportation is tight, noting, “Trucks are tough but manageable.”
Colorado Western Slope:
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, said on Nov. 30 his Colorado deal has one more week. “Colorado for us is all three colors and all sizes this week and next.” He added, “The end of next week we will wrap up our 2022 Colorado shipping season.”
Organic Onions:
Brad Sumner with Pacific Coast Trading Co. in Portland, OR, told us on Nov. 30 that demand “has slowed a bit. which is normal after the holidays.” He said, “Our Thanksgiving pull was off over last year. I figure last year there were fewer onions available in fewer hands. This year that was different, so orders got spread out a little more.” And Brad said, “Reds and yellows seem steady. Whites will get tighter in January. I see the market on those increasing steadily.” He added, “The market is settling down a little. There are a few deals on yellows and reds from sheds that are a little long. Still, the overall market is good.” Quality out of Pacific Coast’s sheds “continues to be very good,” he said, and Brad looked to the upcoming holidays and said, “I am hopeful Christmas will clear out some extra volume and it will be a Happier New Year for our growers!” Looking to transportation, Brad said it has “had its normal increases – and here come the trees!”
CROP
Tampico, MX/Rio Grande Valley, TX:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, reported to us on Nov. 30 about his deals in the Tampico region of Mexico and the Texas Rio Grande Valley, saying, “The stands are above average, and the crops appear to be two weeks later than normal due to unusually cool weather both places.”
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, weighed in on the 2023 Tampico and Rio Grande Valley crops on Nov. 30. “Mexico and S. Texas would be considered slightly more mature than ‘normal,’” he said. “There’s still a long way to go but should see some production by Mid-January for sure. Maybe some earlier.” And, David added, “We’re already receiving some early whites from Cuautla Morelos, Mexico.” Our thanks to Nowell Borders and Southwest Onion Growers for the great photos of the Tampico crop taken Nov. 30.
