Featured image: New Mexico crop progress photo courtesy of Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce
MARKET
Bronx, NY:
Lou Getzelman with Canyon Sales Co. on the Hunts Point Market told us on May 1, “We’re currently moving onions out of Idaho, Texas, Georgia and we’ve now started California,” Lou said. “Still a good amount of yellow onions from the northwest in New York, which has put pressure on even new crop if those regions want to come. I would say demand is a little bit better this week than it was last, and hopefully we see an uptick on the yellow market in the next couple weeks as regions finish. There are certainly room to leg up on price and movement should be good.” He continued, “The red market is still extremely hot. Jumbo reds just were not around in load volume, there seems to be a little bit more each day, but this market is not letting up, and we really do not see relief until maybe 2 weeks. We’re getting some jumbo reds out of Georgia on the east coast, but there’s few.” He added, “The white market has stabilized and was a little steadier week.” On transportation, Lou said, “Transportation remains very easy and trucks are plentiful,” noting, “We are through the spring holidays now so we are hoping for the business activity to pick back up as customers return to the market and the weather warms up here on the East Coast.”
Organic Onions
Brad Sumner with Pacific Coast Trading Co. in Portland provided his report on May 1. “Welcome to month 5 of this year’s wild Organic Onion ride.” Brad said. “Demand is great and steady, but reds are very short, whites are a little short with plenty of yellows around. Vidalia sweet organics are two weeks in and taking up most of the organic sweet business. Mexico still has about a month left out of the mainland; Baja will have organic onions first week of June.” He continued, “Brawley/Imperial Valley started up with quality from rough to, OK? Our Coachella crop is right around the corner with anticipated initial harvest this weekend. We will start with yellows and whites. Cannot wait!!! I do not feel the white and red market will stabilize for some time. To little supply in too little hands on those. Again, yellows seem available, and price has stayed constant. Getting a lot of trucks out of GA to go to the west warehouse. Rates seem reasonable and trucks are available. Have a great Cinco de Mayo!”
Texas Rio Grande Valley:
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen told us on May 1 his Texas season is coming to a close, and it’s been a good one. “We’re done in Texas in a couple of days,” David said. “It’s been a real good marketing season, and we had above average yields and very good quality.”
Texas/California/Vidalia, GA:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, told us on May 1, “Demand is a little slow this week, but it’s fairly typical for this time of year” Jason said, “We completely done with our program business in the Northwest and we are moving onions out of Texas, California and Vidalia, and quality has been good out of all regions.” Jason continued “Georgia’s going full steam with flats and globes and they will be adding reds mid-May. Some sheds in Texas have wrapped it up, but we are still shipping out of Texas and will be until the end of next week. California is going with all three colors, but reds are whites are expected to pick up on volume. Yellows are shipping good volume out of California now.” Jason continued, “Right now, buyers are making buying decisions based on availability and freight.” When asked about the market, Jason said, “With reds so tight pricing is increasing. It’s steady on yellows and it’s been soft on whites. Looking forward, customers are doing well with the transition, and are ready for new crop.”
California/Texas/Northwest:
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID provided his report on May 1. “First off, I’m glad April is over, but I have to say, it’s been a weird week,” Rick said. “We are shipping out of California and Texas, with most of it coming out of Texas now, but we’ll be shipping out of Chihuahua, MX within a couple of weeks. California has a smattering of everything with more coming.” He continued, “I guess that’s why buyers are getting a little wishy-washy on what to do and where they want to pull onions from. It’s like they want to see where the market is going to go. Reds a super snug, and almost overnight medium yellows started getting snug too. Jumbos and Colossals are moving well and the availability is OK.” Rick continued on the market, “Of course the market is up on reds, strengthening on medium yellows, and on whites, man, it’s all over the place. All I can say is, preplan and get things all lined out.” On transportation, Rick said “Everything is easy. Flatbeds, reefers, you name it.” Rick concluded with, ”We have shallots, cippolinis and pearls: all colors, so come and get ‘em!”
Washington/Imperial Valley
John Vlahandreas with Wada Farms in Salem, OR, reported from the Imperial Valley on May 1, saying, “I am working in California moving new crop, but I am still selling Washington onions,” John said, “Washington will still be going in some capacity until the end of May, and that will give them 3-4 weeks, just enough time to get all the building and equipment cleaned up for overwinters to run. In the meantime, we’re getting geared up down here in California and West Valley is going full steam and got off the starting blocks with organics and then conventional and reds will come later this week. Reds are definitely tight right now.” John continued, “For the demand for new crop start has been pretty good, and the market is getting stabilized at a good level. It’s not crazy high like earlier in the year, but we’re looking at some good lower teen pricing, and stabilized market is a good thing.” When asked about the transition to new crop, John laughed, “In my lifetime, there has NEVER been a smooth transition. Think about it. These guys are trying to do in the month or so, what the storage guys do in eight months. It’s not easy down here. There are potatoes to run and then watermelons come on too. But year after year, they get it all done.” Finally, on John transportation, saying, “Getting trucks must be easy, I’m looking a big line waiting to load!” Many thanks to John for providing onion packing photos this week. Click images to enlarge and scroll.
CROP
Colorado Western Slope/Corinne, UT:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said on May 1 the onion crops in Olathe, CO, and Corinne, UT, are looking good. Colorado traditionally starts around Labor Day, and Utah comes in later.
Colorado Western Slope:
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, said on May 1 his two growers in Delta are having a good early growing season. “Colorado is up and growing, and we expect all three colors Sept. 1,” David said.
New Mexico
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, told us on May 1, saying, “The New Mexico crop looks absolutely amazing! If Mother Nature cooperates, we’ll look forward to shipping around June 1.” Many thanks to Jason for providing New Mexico crop progress photos this week. Click images to enlarge.
