Featured image: New Mexico crop progress courtesy of Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce
MARKET
California/Texas:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce gave his report from his Nyssa, OR, sales office this week. “Demand is good this week but it hasn’t necessarily been because of any Memorial Day pull,” Jason said on May 18. “Buyers are looking for all sizes in mostly reds and yellows, and I will say mediums are pretty tight this week. We are currently shipping out of Texas and California, but Texas is winding down this week and we will be moving from the Imperial Valley to the Central Valley in California starting next week. Then we will also be starting up our New Mexico shipments next week as well.” He continued, “Quality has been good, but the Imperial Valley has experienced some heat recently so we are trying to get onions in and out the door as quickly as possible.” On the market, Jason said it’s been steady. “This week, prices have dipped a little due to Texas folks trying to clean up,” he said. “But I think that’s temporary, and the market should continue to be steady moving forward.” On transportation, Jason said it’s been OK. “We don’t have any problem getting trucks, but as always, freight is expensive.” Many thanks to Jason for sending great photos of New Mexico.
Idaho:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum told us on May 18 that demand is OK this week. “We’re selling out of South Texas, North Carolina, North Dakota, California, and a few out of Mexico,” he said, adding, “I am thinking that maybe next week we might get a pull for the Memorial Day holiday because it’s not happening this week. All colors and sizes are moving, but it’s nothing spectacular.” Rick continued, “Reds are still limited, so pricing is good, but even those prices have come off a little. The market in general is in flux. South Texas is trying to clean up, so that has been a contributing factor.” When asked about quality, Rick said, “It’s a typical spring onion so it’s been a little hit and miss.” And about transportation Rick said, “It’s DOT week, so getting trucks may be rough. A couple of times a year, DOT gets out there and pulls drivers over for any little thing, so drivers get word of this and stay off the road until things quiet down. In addition to freight being expensive, you may not be able to get a truck.”
South Texas/Mexico:
Mike Davis with Tex Mex Sales LLC in Weslaco told us on May 18 that demand is a little slow this week. “Retail business is doing okay this week, but demand is a little off overall,” he said. “Of the demand that is out there, buyers are looking for all colors and all sizes. We are shipping all three colors right now, and we are looking to finish up our Texas crop in the next two weeks. We are starting to bring in onions from Mexico and that should go for two to three weeks and then we will move into our New Mexico program around June 1.” On the market, Mike said it has come off a bit. “I am not exactly sure why, but the market has dipped a little,” he said. “I think it might have to do with the fact that some Texas shippers are trying to finish. The money is still good on reds, but prices on reds have come off a little too.” Mike noted that transportation hasn’t been a problem. “Really, we haven’t had a lot of problems with trucks lately. Everything seems to be going smoothly there.”
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen said on May 18 yields in the Eagle Pass/Quemado area have been so high that packing materials have been reordered twice since the season began. “We’re going seven full days for the next two weeks,” he said of harvest. All colors and sizes are shipping now, and David said after the next couple of weeks they should start to wind down. “But we’ve got 10 days-two weeks of full blast,” he said. David said the market has eased off, “but it’s still above average, and we’re happy to celebrate that.” He said, “It’s been above average since Labor Day 2021.” Transportation, he said, “hasn’t changed, and he noted rates in his area are the same as they were a year ago.” He also said more trucks are available. Labor “gets tougher every year,” but David added, “It’s not any worse now than three months ago. It’s the same in Mexico. It’s definitely tougher to deal with than a few years ago though, and there’s no question that automation and mechanical devices will become more and more important.”
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco said on May 18 he expects to finish running reds this week and will finish shipping next week. He said he is “all done with yellows,” adding, “We still have whites out of Mexico for another few weeks – and they’re beautiful.”
CROP
New Mexico:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, reported in on May 18, telling us that Eagle Eye will begin shipping New Mexico product starting next week. “The crop looks really good, and we are excited to start shipping out of the New Mexico region,” he said. “Then we will be shipping out of California and New Mexico into August until we start back up here in Eastern Oregon and Washington.”
Walla Walla:
Michael Locati with Locati Farms and Pacific Agra Farms told us on May 18 the 2022 Walla Walla Sweets crop continues to progress well. “It’s going good,” he said. “The onions are looking very good, and we’re on track to start harvest on June 5 and start shipping on June 10.” Michael said his Walla Walla Rosé Sweet Onions are expected to start shipping the first week of July. He said the growing season has been favorable. “It’s been a little cool, but nothing to complain about,” he said. “Our water from the snowpack is good.” Labor hasn’t been an issue thus far, and he said, “Just like everybody else, we have a tough time finding full-time guys. But seasonal is OK.” And he said on transportation, “We’re hoping for the best.”
Colorado Western Slope:
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, told us on May 18 his Colorado growers have been contending with “the windiest April and May ever” in their state, along with dry conditions. A small percentage of the crop has been replanted due to the wind, he added. David said water supplies this year look good for the region.
Colorado Western Slope/Utah:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said on May 18 his deals in Western Colorado and Corinne, UT, are coming along on schedule for a fall start. Corinne traditionally starts shipping somewhat later. “It’s all looking good in both places,” he said.
