Rain hit the Mesilla Valley in southern New Mexico and far west Texas during planting season, but T.J. Runyon of Mesilla Valley Produce in Las Cruces, NM, said overall acreage for spring onions in that area is still likely “up maybe just a hair” over last year.
“Some stands were affected, and some weren’t hit at all,” he said of the system that preceded Hurricane Patricia’s landfall on Oct. 24. “We got some rain during planting, but overall the crop is looking very much average – with a whole lot of weather to go.”
Mesilla Valley Produce, a broker/distributor, works the onion deal in New Mexico, the Texas Rio Grande Valley and Winter Garden and also handles product out of Mexico.
The spring onion deal in New Mexico might see a slight bump in reds, T.J. said, due to rotation, and he said the plan is to start shipping in late May or early June and move fresh-market onions through August.
