Featured image: Ahlberg Family Farms in Delta, CO yellow onions, photo courtesy of David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX
MARKET
Western Colorado:
Don Ed Holmes with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX told us on October 2 that his Olathe grower, John Harold, is running reds and yellows and will start running whites next week. “Quality is great, and we have all three sizes available,” Don Ed said. “We will start up with Utah in two weeks.”
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, told us on October 2 that he is moving all colors and sizes. “Ahlberg Family Farms in Delta has had very good weather, and they are packing fresh out of the field and filling storages at the same time.” Many thanks to David for the beautiful photos this week! Click to enlarge and scroll.
Bronx, NY:
Lou Getzelman with Canyon Sales Co. on the Hunts Point Market told us on October 4, “Demand this week has been relatively unchanged, there’s not an overwhelming amount of business but the market seems to be hanging in there. Harvest is continuing in the Northwest and the weather has been favorable recently, and it sounds like a good chunk of labor is still going towards getting onions in storage.” Lou continued, “We have been seeing overall excellent quality and now we’re seeing all colors available as reds and whites have loosened up.” He said, “There’s room for the market to leg up and we expect to see more and more business in the coming week now that we are through a traditionally slow time.” On transportation, Lou said, “We’re still able to load flats which has helped keep transportation costs down, and we also have our first arrivals of rail cars in NY. As we lose the ability to load flats the cost savings of loading rail will jump up, right now it’s not quite as high as we’d hope for it to be, but customers are making it work.”
Washington/Idaho-E. Oregon:
John Vlahandreas with Wada Farms in Salem, OR, told us on October 4 that demand could be better this week. “We’re selling out of Washington and Idaho-E. Oregon,” John said. “I’m not overly busy, but we are doing our contract business, and we have a lot going on. Demand seems good for jumbo and medium yellows and there is package business is very good.” John continued, “Consequently, that puts a strain on bulk business.” John continued. “There are more whites available now and the price reflects it. Reds are becoming more readily available as well.” John added, “Storages are filling and everyone is getting more of an idea of what they have to source. After the rains, harvest can finish up and things can calm down quite a bit and the market is starting to settle in at prices that can’t provide a profit to the grower. So the question for the grower is, do I want to sell my onions now at a level where I can’t make any money, or hang on to them and see if I can make it work when Mexico comes on and roll the dice then? Then what happens in the spring? Will the market be any better? Will it get messy? How do I plant for the next cycle? How do I continue? Do I just quit growing? Then what happens to all of us in the onion business? Do we all end up being truck brokers? There has got to be a place in the market where everyone can be happy.” John ended his report on a bright note. “I have to hand it to all the growers I have worked with from summer on. The quality of the onions that I moved is a testament to their dedication. The quality has been absolutely excellent!”
Washington/Eastern Colorado-Kansas:
Hayden Bingham with L&M Cos. in Raleigh, NC, said on October 4 that demand is a little off this week. “Demand is a little slow, but we see that changing next week when harvest gets completed and things traditionally pick up.” he said. Hayden added, “Buyers are looking for all colors and sizes, and it’s just a mix of everything right now.” On the market, Hayden said it’s been a little off. “The market has been a little off, but as demand picks up, we expect the market to pick up too.” Hayden said L&M’s Kansas and Colorado deal is shipping and doing well. “We are shipping yellows and whites out of Kansas and reds are coming. Plus, we have reds and yellows and reds out of Colorado and whites will follow out of that area. Quality out of both areas looks great.” On transportation, Hayden said it’s been good. “We don’t have a problem getting trucks,” he said. “Rates are lower than they have been, so we are happy about that too.”
Idaho-E. Oregon/Washington:
Jason Pearson with Eagle Eye Produce in Nyssa, OR, told us on October 4 that demand is a little off this week. “We are plenty busy, but demand is still a little off this week,” he said. “All colors and sizes anre moving about the same. Medium whites and reds are tight but are starting to loosen up, but supers are the size that’s tight right now. Quality is excellent, and we haven’t had any issues out of either region.” On the market, Jason said, “The market is trending downward and it seems that some shippers are seeing stuff on the floor and thinking they need to just blow it out. A down trending market is never good for our growers. I just hope and pray that people get cooler heads and just relax so we can get this thing trending upwards. It’s better for everyone.” He noted that transportation is going smoothly. “It’s easy. We’re still able to load some flatbeds and currently if you want a truck, they’re out there, and you can get one. Of course, things will change as we get into the holidays, but for now, we’re fine.”
Idaho-E. Oregon:
Chris Woo provided an update on Treasure Valley on October 4. “After a few days of passing sprinkles, weather has turned drier and warmer,” Chris said. “Because of this, onion harvest will be going at a reasonable clip the rest of the week and next. By next week, we should be over the hump and after that we will be dealing with the tail end and the rest of the stragglers.” On demand, Chris said, “Demand is fairly so-so. The market is steady as she goes.”
Wisconsin:
Doug Bulgrin with Gumz Farms in Endeavor provided his report on October 4. “Demand is above normal for us this week,” he said. “Quality is great and though we had dry growing weather, the rain toward the end helped put some size on the crop and we have good size profile on our yellow and reds. Wisconsin isn’t traditionally known for colossal onions, but we will have some this year. We don’t know how many, but we will have some availability and we are really excited about that.” He continued, “The market is steady… so far, so good.” On transportation, Doug said, “It’s been good and smooth sailing there, so we’re in good shape.”
