Featured image: Featured image: Endeavor, WI onion harvest. Photo courtesy of Doug Bulgrin with Gumz Farms.
MARKET
Wisconsin
Doug Bulgrin with Gumz Farms in Endeavor provided his report on September 25. “We will finish harvest by this weekend,” Doug said. “The size and yields are down, but movement and pricing is steady.”
Organic Onions:
Brad Sumner with Pacific Coast Trading Co. in Portland provided his report on September 25. “On the organic onion front, not much change,” Brad said. “A lot of different areas harvesting and packing. Full tuck away in storage will occur in mid-October for us in CA. Our Mi crop is getting cured up and moving out slowly. All the other major organic onion areas are rolling right along.” He continued, “Business the last two weeks for us has been slow. With so many suppliers right now, the friends you made in January February, March and April, covering their shortages, have gone back to their seasonal programs. Just part of the business. Quality everywhere we are pulling is good and getting better.” He also noted, “Nothing like dark skinned onions with many layers. I feel a smooth roll through the holidays outside of any unforeseen circumstances. Cannot believe I said that…”
Idaho-E. Oregon
Steve Baker with Baker & Murakami Produce in Ontario, OR, told us on September 25 saying, “Demand has slowed down for us this past week. We really aren’t worried about that now. Our focus is on harvest and getting the crop into storage. I would assume cheaper pricing is dictating where the demand is going at this time. I don’t see any one size or color that is bringing more demand than another this week.” Steve commented on the market, “The market seems to have taken a dip in pricing. Apparently certain shippers feel a need to push currently. I’m guessing they are pushing on non-storage varieties that they feel need to be ran.” On transportation, Steve noted, “Transportation right now is plentiful when loading flatbeds. Refer trailers are little tighter this past week.”
Washington/Idaho-E. Oregon
John Vlahandreas with Wada Farms in Salem, OR, told us on September 25, saying, “Well, movement has been good this week,” John said, “I am working on our organic program this week, but I know buyers are looking for the usual; jumbo yellows. Quality is very good and we haven’t had any issues. I think what we will start to see now is growers making assessments of what they will be putting in storage. The last report from the NOA showed that overall the country is up 2,390 acres over last year, but we’ll have to see as onions go in the barn. There was the storm that came through, so we don’t really know just yet. If storages get full, it will be easier for shippers to say, “no” and hold off. We’ll see how it all plays out.” On the market, John said, “The market seems to be holding. Although I know some shippers might be off by just a hair. That doesn’t mean four or five dollars less. Even if the market may be off a little, it’s very little and there are plenty saying the market is solid. One thing I have heard is that Tiawan had a crop failure, and that could help the market. Increased export opportunities, especially for Washington could help the market overall.”
Idaho/Washington/Oregon/Mexico (through Texas)/Michigan/Utah
Rick Greener with Greener Produce in Ketchum, ID provided his report on September 25 saying, “Demand was good Monday and Tuesday,“ Rick said. “It’s started out a little slow this morning. Buyers are looking for all colors and sizes, but Supers and Colossals have been in high demand. Larger onions are becoming more available. They are mostly coming out of Idaho-Oregon and Utah. We are also shipping onions out of Washington and whites from Mexico through South Texas. Medium reds and yellows are coming out of Michigan and I have to say, the Michigan crop this year is the best I’ve seen.” Rick continued, “We’re holding off on our Spain shipments for now, due to the potential strike at the port.” On the market, Rick commented, “The market on whites is still all over the place. Supers and Colossals are getting a premium and jumbo yellows are holding. The red market is still strong.” Onion transportation, Rick said, “Freight continues to be super easy with so many options like flatbeds available. We’re still able to load flatbeds and Conestogas, so we are in a good place on freight.”
Colorado Western Slope:
David DeBerry with Southwest Onion Growers in McAllen, TX, told us on Sept. 25 that the Western Colorado season is rolling along nicely. “Everything’s about the same this week,” David said. “We’re shipping all three colors. Movement is good, and weather’s great.” He added, “Transportation has not been a problem.” And he said harvest crews “should have everything undercover by early next week.”
Colorado Western Slope/Corinne, UT:
Chuck Hill with The Onion House in Weslaco, TX, said on Sept. 25 that movement is brisk on all three colors from his Olathe, CO, grower. “We’re rockin’,” Chuck said. The Utah start-up is still a few weeks out, Chuck added, noting that the storage crop will begin shipping in October.