Featured image: Onion grower Dan Corn’s crop progress near Nyssa, OR. Photo taken May 15, 2024.
MARKET
Organic Onions
Brad Sumner with Pacific Coast Trading Co. in Portland provided his report on May 15. “I am in my dream world on Organic onion sales.” Brad said. “I have orders out the door, at good money. However, I am in my nightmare on suppling those orders. Reds are still short to non-existent; whites are still tight but thankfully having the least amount of demand bodes well for filling orders. Even yellows, especially jumbos are getting tight. Mediums seem a little tighter as well. Heck, they have been hard to lasso for a while.” He continued, “We are getting to new Organic growing areas and new harvests expecting new rewards, but the story continues. Low yields, small size but great quality. The end might come in September, I don’t know. We are still pulling organic onions from Mexico and Texas in addition to the California crop we are grabbing now. Our Baja crop is scheduled to come off June 1st, hoping and a praying. I will send pics next update. Our organic Vidalia inventory is dwindling, basically holding on to what we need for retail commitments throughout the rest of the season. Getting trucks at a reasonable rate seems to be the steadiest aspect of our business right now. See y’all in two weeks!”
Idaho-E. Oregon
Paul Reeping with Riverfront Produce in Payette, Idaho, reported on May 15, saying, “Demand is off a little this week. We aren’t quite into the summer family gatherings yet, which is typical, and when that starts happening, we’ll see demand increase. On our end, we’ll be shipping for at least the next couple of weeks. We have mostly yellows and reds, which are very hard to come by.” When asked about the market, the phone had a long pause. Then, with much hesitation, Paul laughed, “You know, I’m not sure how to respond. It’s hard to say what’s going on this week. I do know the transition from Texas is playing a part in it. You can check with me next week. I’ll have a better idea. I can say we have had a great season, and we still have very good quality right up until the end.”
Imperial Valley, California:
Mike Smythe provided an Imperial Valley crop report for West Valley Packing on May 15: “Demand continues to exceed supply,” Mike said. “Sizing of onions this season has been a roller coaster ride, one day colossal and supers, next day mediums and jumbos for all colors. On average, bags per acre continue to run below normal. We are packing all three colors plus flat sweets. We will continue packing onions in Imperial Valley through the end of the month. Weather is still favorable; we have three days of 100+ degree weather, then back to high 80s for several days.” Mike continued, “This cooler weather could lead to the potential of a longer gap between Imperial Valley and Central Valley.” He added, “The Central Valley is behind schedule; we expect a start between June 4th and 7th. I hear the Central Valley crop is average at best.”
Rio Grande Valley/Mexico:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said on May 15 the Texas deal is finished for the season, as is the Torreón deal. “We will have whites out of Chihuahua another couple of weeks,” noting; “We have pearls, Cippolinis, and shallots, so come and get ‘em!”
Mexico/New Mexico:
James Johnson with Carzalia Valley Produce in Columbus, NM, told us on May 15 that southern Chihuahua is moving yellows, whites, and reds, and New Mexico is at the starting gate. “All colors from Chihuahua now,” he said, adding that Sonora “is all wrapped up.” James said, “We will have New Mexico onions late next week. I have heard of one grower that is starting harvest today in the Las Cruces area. Things are about a week to 10 days early this year.”
Texas/California/Vidalia, GA:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, told us on May 15, “This is our last week in Texas,” Jason said, “It was a good run there. We were a little short on reds, but overall, we did well in Texas. Now, we are shipping mostly out of Georgia and California, and next week, we’ll start shipping out of New Mexico. We’ll start with yellows there, and after Memorial Day, we’ll run all three colors.” When asked about demand, Jason said, “It’s a little off, but that’s no surprise. It’s pretty typical for this timing in May, and then demand kicks in for the holiday and then the summer barbeques. Regarding the market, It’s good on reds because they are so short. Yellows remain steady, and the white market is a little off.” Jason noted that freight is more expensive this week. “It’s DOT week, so while you can secure a truck, it will be expensive.” Many thanks to Jason for the opportunity to shoot a picture at one of their grower’s fields, Dan Corn, in Nyssa, Oregon.
Washington/California/Mexico/Texas:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID provided his report on May 15. “Well, the week started off pretty well on demand and then today, it kind of fell off,” Rick said. “Not sure exactly what happened, but I think there was a little push upward on the market, and then the phones stopped ringing. It just happens that way sometimes. We are currently shipping out of California, Arizona, Mexico and Texas, with most of the onions coming from Texas. Texas is wrapping up, so we’ll end those shipments mid- to the end of next week. I should also mention that we are still shipping some Northwest onions and some customers want what’s left of the storage crop.” When asked about quality, Rick said, “It’s consistent, and as far as availability goes, we could use more reds and Colossals, but overall, the market has been steady for the last couple of weeks.” On transportation, Rick said, “It’s DOT week, and freight is up, and with the holiday coming up, it’s wise to plan ahead. Oh, and have I mentioned, we have pearls, Cippolinis, and shallots, so come and get ‘em!”
