We know. It’s long. So, please read it now or read it later, but you will want to read it!
Now, can we condense the last six months of onion market and crop news? Sure, we can, but not without the help of our valued contributors, who provide us with reports week after week, all year long. At OnionBusiness.com, we want to thank all of our market and crop contributors for their steadfast reporting and expertise. Their dedication, along with our loyal readers, helps make our industry better and bring us closer together.
Let’s begin with January. It seems like forever ago!
Onion Market and Crop Updates for January 2024
Throughout January 2024, the onion market remained strong across various regions, driven by high demand and stable pricing post-holiday season. Wisconsin experienced a continued rise in pricing, with hopes for improved transportation availability as the new year progressed.
In Idaho-E. Oregon, the market saw high demand for large sizes, particularly red onions, with potential price increases on the horizon. The region reported stable conditions and improving truck availability despite high transportation costs. Washington echoed the high demand, with whites being particularly scarce, and noted improved freight conditions.
Several regions, including Michigan, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah, faced a rush to replenish stocks post-holidays. Short weeks led to fast sell-outs, and the market remained strong with potential for further increases. Freight rates were higher, but transportation availability showed signs of improvement.
Crop updates in early January indicated that planting in Calipatria, CA, had been completed, with a promising outlook for the season starting in about three and a half months.
By mid-January, the onion market continued to show strength across several regions. In the Bronx, NY, there was robust demand for yellow onions, though transportation issues and high prices due to Midwest weather were noted. In Idaho-E. Oregon and Washington, demand for jumbo yellows and reds remained steady, with high prices for whites. The market was expected to remain stable without decline, though transportation remained expensive and weather-dependent.
Shipments from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah reported steady demand across all sizes and colors, with whites being particularly scarce. The organic onion market saw increased demand, especially for white organic onions. Weather impacted storage onions, leading to fatigue in the pack, but demand for yellow organics remained steady. Freight rates improved post-holidays.
Crop updates in mid-January anticipated Mexican onions to be available around early February, with Texas crops progressing well and expected to start in early March. The Imperial Valley in California reported good stands and on-schedule plantings despite cold weather. Overall, the market showed strong demand and stable pricing, with transportation challenges being a key issue.
Towards the end of January, onion shipments from Tampico, Mexico, were delayed slightly due to cooler weather, now expected around February 5 or 12. Despite the delay, the onions were in good condition, and the market remained strong with high demand. A water shortage in Mexico was expected to limit volume in February, with more significant quantities anticipated in March.
In Idaho-E. Oregon and Washington, demand was strong as the regions caught up from recent storms. Onions, particularly whites and reds, were tight. The market remained solid, supported by purchases from Mexico and Korea, though transportation faced challenges due to adverse weather conditions.
The Northwest region also reported good demand and a strong market, with a two-week delay in the Mexican crop due to weather. US supplies were tight, making it difficult to fulfill orders timely, but overall market conditions were positive. Shipping from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah was hectic, with shippers selling out quickly. Whites were nearly unavailable, small reds were tight, and yellows were selling out fast. The market was strong and steady, with mid-week sellouts indicating no price drops. Freight required careful planning due to potential delays.
Organic onions experienced high demand and tight supplies, especially for whites and reds. Organic yellow onions were more available but mostly in jumbo sizes. The organic onion market was expected to remain interesting through February and March, with normal and steady transportation rates despite occasional weather disruptions.
In the Texas Rio Grande Valley, the 2024 Texas 1015 crop looked promising, with shipping expected to start in March, slightly later than usual due to a late planting. The winter had been relatively mild overall, despite a brief cold snap. Texas onions were dormant but expected to grow rapidly starting mid-February, with a mid-March start anticipated. The California program was also progressing well, with shipments expected to begin in mid-April.
February 2024 Onion Market and Crop Updates
Throughout February, the onion market displayed strong demand across various regions, with noticeable tightness in supply for certain sizes and colors, particularly white onions.
In Idaho and Eastern Oregon, high demand for jumbo yellows and reds led to price increases. Supplies of medium reds and yellows remained very tight, while larger-sized yellows were more available. Improved truck availability was noted. Washington and Idaho reported similar trends with a strong market and tight supplies, especially for white onions. Buyers without pre-existing contracts scrambled for supply as contracted production dwindled, and upcoming production from Utah and Idaho was expected to finish earlier than usual.
In the Bronx, NY, the market was robust with strong demand and scarce supply, particularly for white and medium red onions. Peruvian sweet onions were oversold, leading to increased pricing. Freight costs from the West to the East slightly decreased, offering some relief against rising onion prices.
In Mexico, late planting, water shortages, and cool weather delayed the start of onion shipments, extending the delay until mid-February. Mexico’s high market kept supplies local, contributing to the tight U.S. market. The U.S. supplied a significant portion of Mexico’s onions, delaying Mexican onions from crossing into the U.S. until the third or fourth week of February.
As the month progressed, demand for larger onions in Idaho and Eastern Oregon remained strong, particularly for white onions. The market continued to inch up as supplies tightened, with transportation remaining stable. Washington and Oregon reported steady demand and tight supplies, especially for medium-sized onions, with the market edging up supported by good quality and stable transportation. In Wisconsin, demand was double the available supply, raising concerns about finishing the season 6-8 weeks early and leading to high market prices. Regions shipping out of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah experienced mid-week sellouts, with no availability of Mexican onions. Organic onions faced a tight supply situation, particularly for white and red varieties, causing rising prices.
In the Texas Rio Grande Valley, the onion crop progressed well with warmer temperatures benefiting growth. Harvesting was expected to start in early March for 1015s and mid-March for reds. Anticipated rain was expected to further boost the crop. In the Imperial Valley, California, the onion crop was behind schedule due to cooler-than-normal temperatures, but warmer temperatures were forecasted to help the crop catch up. The market remained active with contract inquiries as growers monitored conditions closely.
Towards the end of February, the market continued to show strong performance across Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Washington, Utah, New York, and Mexico. Demand remained robust as growers approached the end of their season. Prices consistently rose with storage onions depleting rapidly. There was a noted absence of Mexican onions due to high market prices in Mexico keeping them domestic. Despite high demand and tight supply, transportation remained smooth with plenty of available trucks.
In Washington, steady demand continued for jumbo yellows and reds, though whites were scarce. The market held strong with potential for further increases, and growers were optimistic about transitioning to their Texas and California deals starting in mid-March and April, respectively. Reports from the Bronx indicated steady market conditions with good demand for jumbo yellow onions, though prices reached levels causing some pushback. Medium reds and whites remained tight, with some expensive Mexican onions beginning to cross the border. Lower transportation costs aided distribution.
In Mexico, the exceptionally strong market delayed the start of onion shipments until the end of February or early March. Delayed planting, cool weather, and high domestic market prices kept Mexican onions from crossing into the U.S. Once the season started, it was expected to run through mid-April, with Texas continuing into mid-May.
In Texas, the 1015 crop was expected to start between March 5-18, slightly delayed due to cool weather. Anticipated rain was expected to benefit the crop, aligning well with the delayed Mexican season. In California, the onion crop progressed well with favorable conditions. Recent rains were beneficial, and growers anticipated a smooth transition from their current deals to the Calipatria season.
Overall, the onion market was characterized by high demand, rising prices, and tight supplies across multiple regions. The upcoming crops in Texas and California were eagerly anticipated to meet ongoing demand and ensure smooth market transitions.
Onion Market and Crop Updates for March 2024
Throughout March, the onion market experienced strong demand and fluctuating supply levels across various regions.
In Mexico and the Texas Rio Grande Valley, shipments of Tampico onions began with strong markets for yellows and intense demand for whites, which surpassed the $50 mark. Reds are expected to start shipping soon. The Texas crop is progressing well, with shipments anticipated around March 20-22. Limited quantities of all three colors are crossing from Mexico, with volumes at about 25 percent of normal and very strong demand. Texas onions are maturing on schedule, with shipments expected by late March.
In Idaho-Eastern Oregon and Washington, demand for reds tightened, while all sizes of yellows moved steadily. Whites crossing from Mexico have not affected the market, which remains steady. Transportation is good, and a smooth transition to new crop areas in Texas and California is expected in the coming weeks. Smaller sheds in the Treasure Valley have finished for the season, with more expected to close soon. Remaining supplies are mostly reds and yellows, saved for previously committed pricing. The broader Idaho-Washington-Oregon-Utah region saw strong markets with tight supplies of medium reds. As smaller sheds finish up, the market is expected to become more challenging. Texas yellows and a few reds will be available soon, but much of this supply is already committed due to reduced acreage from water issues.
In the Bronx, NY, the market remained stable with moderate demand. Supplies dwindled as Idaho sheds finished their season. Mexican onions began to appear, with whites being the most popular. FOBs out of Mexico remained high, with buyers preferring storage onions over new crop Mexican onions. Quality from Idaho remained excellent, with shipping expected to continue into May. Yellow onion packages climbed, while red onion packages slightly decreased. Transportation by truck remained relatively easy, with fewer rail issues than in January.
By mid-March, the volume of shipments from Tampico increased, covering yellows, whites, and reds with outstanding quality due to the lack of rain. The Rio Grande Valley season is taking longer to get ready, with the start date projected for the week of March 25. Volume from Tampico picked up, with most growers and shippers at their peak production. Texas onions are maturing on schedule, with expected shipping by April 1. Transportation remained plentiful.
Demand remained good in Idaho-Eastern Oregon, with tight supplies of Super Colossals and medium reds. The market saw a slight increase in pricing for Colossals and Super Colossals, with red pricing trending higher. Smaller sheds are finishing up, with customers shifting to other shippers in the Northwest. Washington continued to see strong demand, with slight decreases in white pricing. International demand from Canada, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan remained strong.
The Idaho-Washington-Oregon-Utah regions saw consistent demand for yellows and reds, while whites remained stable. Mexico’s crossings had not significantly impacted the market. Texas onions are expected to start shipping soon, ensuring a smooth transition. California crops are also progressing well.
In the Bronx, NY, demand remained steady, with many customers sticking with Idaho and Washington onions as New York state yellows nearly finished. The supply of Jumbo Yellows was fair, with little price movement. The white onion market saw prices drop due to high-quality Mexican onions. The red onion market remained strong, with higher prices for jumbo reds and extremely tight supplies of medium reds. Both yellow and red retail packages moved higher, with strong retail pull expected into Easter and Passover.
In Sonora, Mexico, the start of the organic season is imminent, with an excellent crop of organic reds, whites, and yellows ready for packing.
The Peru program in the Northwest is almost finished, with good quality and pricing. Some sheds are wrapping up earlier than normal. Sales from Mexico are strong, with good supplies of yellows, decent supplies of whites, and fair supplies of reds. The volume and availability from Mexico are increasing, with very good quality and a steady market.
In the Texas Rio Grande Valley, both Tampico and South Texas are shipping onions, although recent rain has slowed movement. All three colors were available before the rain and will be again soon. Some Texas acreage was lost due to hail, but demand currently exceeds available supplies.
Demand remained good in Idaho-Eastern Oregon and Washington, with the last week of shipments from Washington and a few more weeks from the Treasure Valley. Texas shipments started slowly due to recent rain. The market is holding steady with competitive pricing from Mexican onions. Reds are in short supply, pushing prices higher. Transportation has been easy to secure.
Demand surged due to the upcoming Easter, with heavy ordering expected until mid-next week. Shipments continue from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, with limited supplies from Mexico. Texas has had rain but is expected to resume strong sales soon. The market is well-positioned with competitive pricing and good quality from both Mexico and the Northwest. California is expected to start early, around April 22.
The organic onion market remains steady. The supply of organic white onions is slowly increasing, stabilizing prices. However, organic red onions face supply gaps, leading to stronger pricing. The market for organic yellow and sweet onions is stable, with good supply from the Northwest and new crop from Mexico and Texas. Transportation remains reasonable.
In New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico, the crop is on track and possibly ahead of schedule, with excellent stands reported. New Mexico’s crop might be a little early this year due to a milder winter. Chihuahua’s crop looks good, but overall plantings for export to the USA might be down due to an unfavorable exchange rate and financing difficulties. New Mexico is looking at a June 1 start date, with everything looking beautiful.
Onion Market and Crop Updates for April 2024
The onion market throughout April exhibited robust activity and steady progress across multiple regions.
In early April, shipments from the Tampico region of Mexico and the Texas Rio Grande Valley moved smoothly, with Tampico finishing and Torreón starting with whites. Texas progressed well with reds and yellows, showing good quality and size. Sonora, Mexico, also saw strong movement with organic onions and conventional whites already shipping, followed by reds and yellows. Across Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Mexico, demand remained steady post-Easter, with good quality onions available from all regions. Smaller sheds in the Northwest began finishing up, with ample supply from Texas and Mexico. California was on track to start shipping by April 22, ensuring ongoing supply. In the Bronx, NY, demand was steady with many customers sticking to Idaho and Washington onions. Mexican onions began appearing but did not significantly impact New York yet. Prices for white onions dropped due to high-quality Mexican imports, while the red onion market remained strong with tight supplies.
By mid-April, brisk business continued in Mexico and Texas, with all three colors of onions available and above-average yields reported. The Rio Grande Valley avoided recent rain, benefiting the crops. Idaho-Eastern Oregon shipments continued for program business, with a tight supply of reds pushing prices higher. Texas shipped high-quality onions full steam ahead, and California prepared to start shipping on April 22. In the Northwest, the Peru program finished, and sales shifted to Mexican onions with good quality. The Imperial Valley of California began packing organic yellows, followed by conventional yellows and reds. Most customers in the Bronx preferred storage onions, with a slow shift to new crop mediums. The red onion market remained tight with price jumps. Yellow onion demand was sluggish, with more supplies from western sheds than anticipated. Transportation remained smooth nationwide.
In the third week of April, the Vidalia season in Georgia started strong with excellent onion quality and favorable market conditions. The dry, warm, and windy weather supported good field harvest and curing. In the Texas Rio Grande Valley, the season was set to wind down, with Tampico finished and Torreón starting whites, followed by Chihuahua. The market was expected to strengthen. In Idaho-Eastern Oregon, shipments continued for another week, focusing on program business. Texas saw good demand, and the new California season began with promising quality. The market for mediums dipped due to high availability, while reds remained tight, and larger yellows were stable. Buyers were cautious with seven regions actively shipping, assessing the market conditions. The organic onion market saw excellent demand, especially for red onions, with some relief expected from the early Brawley crop. Organic white supply increased slightly, easing prices, while organic yellows from Mexico and Texas held steady. Organic Vidalia onions started, stabilizing the market.
By the end of April, the Imperial Valley of California was packing all three colors of conventional and organic onions. Demand for red onions was particularly high, with predominantly jumbo sizes and more colossal yellows expected. The Texas Rio Grande Valley was winding down, with the last 25 percent of the crop being harvested. Whites from Torreón transitioned to Chihuahua in early May, with the market strengthening. The season in Mexico moved along well with Sonora organics finishing and good volumes of reds, whites, and yellows expected for another week to 10 days. Southern Chihuahua was set to start with whites, followed by all three colors by mid-May. The market in Texas, California, and Vidalia, GA, experienced a typical transition period. Texas was nearing the end of its season, California was starting with yellows and adding reds and whites soon, and Vidalia was shipping yellows with reds expected next week. The market for mediums was weak, but larger yellows and reds were performing well.
Business was steady in Washington, Oregon, Texas, and California, with some customers preferring Northwest onions for quality and others switching to new crops for logistical reasons. Red onions were increasingly tight, with colossal sizes also in short supply. Texas onions were expected to be available through mid-May, with the Northwest continuing for another 10 days to two weeks. New crop onions from New Mexico were anticipated around mid-May. Efforts in Wisconsin focused on meeting customer needs, with the season expected to finish by the end of May. Red onions were tight, but planting progressed well with the last fields being completed. Crop updates from New Mexico indicated a promising crop with an expected start around May 20. Colorado and Utah reported favorable conditions, with all onions for the 2024 crop planted. Colorado’s season was expected to start around Labor Day.
Overall, the onion market in April was characterized by strong demand, particularly for reds, stable quality, and smooth transitions between regions. Upcoming crops from various areas were expected to maintain market stability and meet ongoing demand.
Onion Market and Crop Updates for May 2024
May 2024 was a dynamic month for the onion market, characterized by strong demand, tight supplies, particularly for red onions, and the transition between various growing regions.
In the Imperial Valley, California, and Washington, the month kicked off with high demand, especially for red onions, which saw an intense market. Shipments were primarily from the Imperial Valley, with a significant volume of product moving, including mixer loads of reds. The region is expected to continue shipping until early June. While the market for reds remained robust, yellows saw a slight dip due to Texas sheds being cleaned up, and whites also experienced a downturn. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield crop is progressing well, with shipments anticipated to start on June 1.
The Texas Rio Grande Valley and Mexico experienced the winding down of their seasons, with the last of the South Texas onions being clipped and Chihuahua now shipping whites. The Mexican season, particularly in Southern Chihuahua, progressed at full steam with excellent quality whites and yellows, and reds expected soon. The New Mexico crop was poised to start within 10 days.
In Idaho-Eastern Oregon and California, demand continued to be strong across all colors and sizes, though reds were notably tight. Shipments were set to continue from Texas for a few more weeks, and the desert deal in California was winding down in preparation for a transition to the Central Valley. Vidalia, GA, continued shipping fresh yellows and a few reds, aiming to persist until the end of May. The New Mexico program, with a promising crop, was slated to begin on May 28.
The overall market across Texas, California, and Mexico was steady. Texas was expected to continue shipping for another week to ten days. California was operating at full capacity with all colors and sizes, although reds remained particularly tight. There were more jumbo reds available than medium reds, and the overall demand was even across the board, with quality reported to be excellent for the new crop. Updates from Bakersfield indicated a strong upcoming season, with harvest starting in June and continuing until late August.
Mid-May saw continued high demand for organic onions, but supply remained tight, especially for reds and whites. Yellows, particularly jumbos, were becoming harder to find, and medium yellows had been challenging to secure for a while. New organic growing areas and harvests were expected to bring some relief, though yields were low, sizes were small, and quality remained high. Organic onions were being sourced from Mexico, Texas, and California, with the Baja crop anticipated to start around June 1. Organic Vidalia inventory was running low, held mainly for retail commitments. Truck availability remained stable and reasonably priced.
In Idaho-Eastern Oregon, demand dipped slightly, typical before summer family gatherings ramp up. Shipments were set to continue for a few more weeks, focusing on yellows and the scarce reds. The transition from Texas influenced market dynamics, but quality remained high.
In the Imperial Valley of California, demand exceeded supply, with fluctuating onion sizes daily. Yields were below normal, but packing was set to continue through the end of the month. Favorable weather might extend the gap between the Imperial Valley and Central Valley harvests, with the Central Valley crop expected to start between June 4 and 7, with average quality anticipated.
By late May, demand varied ahead of the holiday. In the Bronx, NY, demand was consistent with good movement ahead of the holiday. The yellow market remained unchanged from the previous week, with shipments coming from the Northwest, Georgia, and California, while Texas was mostly finished. A significant price disparity between new and old crop onions resulted in a higher presence of old crop onions in the New York market. The red market remained very short, with limited supply from Georgia, California, and Mexico, potentially driving up retail package prices. Transportation costs normalized following DOT week.
The spring season progressed well in Mexico, California, and Vidalia, GA, with good quality onions coming from Mexico and the Imperial Valley. Vidalia neared the end of fresh shipments, with storages expected to supply customers through the summer. The market was steady, with strong demand for red onions and good pricing for sweet onions. Yellows and whites moved steadily, and preparations for the Walla Walla crop were underway.
In the Imperial Valley, California, demand was decent, particularly for jumbo reds, which were in high demand but limited supply. The market for reds remained high and was expected to stay that way until at least July. Yellows firmed up, and whites varied due to mixed preferences for Mexican and U.S. products. The harvest in Calipatria was expected to continue until June 5, before moving to Bakersfield around mid-June. The weather had been favorable, maintaining good quality and smooth operations.
In Texas, the season concluded, with shipments now coming from California and Vidalia, GA, and New Mexico set to join in the next three weeks. Demand was slightly off, typical for this time of year, with program business focusing on reds and yellows. The market for reds was high due to short supply, while yellows remained steady, and whites fluctuated. Freight was expensive but readily available.
Crop updates from Walla Walla indicated that the 2024 Walla Walla Sweets were progressing well, with recent rain supporting growth. The crop was expected to start around Father’s Day, with limited supplies of Walla Walla Sweet Rosés shipping in late June or early July. In Idaho-E. Oregon, the crop was doing well, with more information to come as the season progressed and temperatures increased.
Overall, the onion market in May 2024 was marked by strong demand, particularly for reds and organics, tight supplies, and high-quality shipments across various regions. The ongoing transitions between growing regions ensured continuous supply and market stability.
Onion Market and Crop Updates for June 2024
The onion market and crop updates for June 2024 reflect a dynamic period across various regions, marked by significant shifts in demand and supply. The Walla Walla region is gearing up for the season, with the yellow Walla Walla Sweet harvest starting next week, followed by the Walla Walla Sweet Rosés later in the month, promising an exciting season ahead.
In Bakersfield, CA, rising temperatures signal that the harvest is close. The focus is on wrapping up the Imperial Valley deal and transitioning to Bakersfield, where harvest is expected to start mid-June. Despite a successful season in the Imperial Valley, there is some downward pressure on the market due to multiple locations, including Mexico, currently shipping onions, leading to a dip in pricing.
New Mexico is in full swing, with all producers at 100 percent capacity. Early lots seemed small, but the current harvest size is good, supplying all three colors and a full size range. Organic onions started harvest recently, with good supplies of organic yellow, white, and red expected soon. The quality has been impeccable so far. Across Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Mexico, shipments continue robustly, although demand is slightly off due to hot weather slowing down movement. The market has slipped for jumbos and colossals, but smaller onions remain in demand. Summer onions have a different skin set compared to storage onions, necessitating quick packing and fast movement.
The Warden, WA program is looking good with favorable growing weather, expecting an early start around August 1. Similarly, in Idaho-Eastern Oregon and Washington, the crop is thriving with high temperatures, promising a fantastic crop. Overall, the onion market in June 2024 is experiencing mixed demand across regions. While some areas report sluggish demand due to weather and competing shipments, the quality of the crops remains high. The transition from one region to another is ongoing, ensuring a continuous supply of onions to meet market needs. The market for certain sizes and types, particularly reds, remains strong despite some downward pressure on pricing. The focus is on maintaining quality and managing the supply efficiently as the season progresses.
As June progressed, the market continued to experience a range of activities across various regions, marked by fluctuating demand and supply dynamics. In Five Points, CA, the packing has been underway since the end of May, with demand for reds and yellows notably high. Despite a rough start, the market is picking up, and business is returning to normal. The crop quality is good, with all sizes available. Heat advisories reduced shipping hours, but the season is progressing well, with plans to finish by mid-August.
The Bakersfield harvest has started, with temperatures rising fast in the Central Valley. The focus is on wrapping up operations in the Imperial Valley before fully transitioning to Bakersfield. Demand has been sluggish, with downward pressure on pricing due to multiple regions, including Mexico, shipping onions simultaneously. However, the harvest in Bakersfield is expected to start next Friday, with shipments beginning on June 17.
In the Imperial Valley and Washington, demand has picked up despite an abundance of onions in the market. Shipments are coming from various regions in California and New Mexico, while Mexico’s steady shipping has impacted the market somewhat. However, the quality of onions from Five Points is excellent, with yields exceeding expectations. The market is stabilizing despite the high number of onions available. The anticipation of pulls for Juneteenth and the Fourth of July might influence market dynamics, with potential dips followed by rebounds.
From New Mexico and California, supplies of yellow, red, and white onions are adequate, with temperatures rising in New Mexico, affecting the harvest pace. The quality of summer onions is good, with sizing peaking on jumbos and larger. Medium yellow onions are tight and in high demand, sometimes priced higher than jumbos. The market is steady to slightly weaker due to high Mexican imports, which surpass domestic production and put downward pressure on US markets. Nonetheless, quality remains high, and supply is steady.
In the Bronx, NY, the market has been somewhat unstable. The transition from Northwest onions to those from California and New Mexico has brought about good quality onions from Bakersfield, with an adequate supply although larger sizes are more prevalent. The yellow onion market has stabilized, while reds have experienced a slight decline. Spot buys are common, affecting the terminal market, and maintaining quality during transit is crucial due to the hot weather in both California and New York.
Shipping continues robustly across Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Mexico. East Coast customers are also receiving onions from Spain, which, despite a two-week transit time, have good skin set and are suitable for summer transit. Demand has been steady, with a focus on mediums and prepacks. There hasn’t been a significant pull for the 4th of July holiday yet, but it’s anticipated to pick up soon. The market appears stable, with various transportation options readily available.
In Washington, shipments from Bakersfield cover all three colors and sizes of onions. Demand has been sluggish, but operations are busy, and quality remains high. The market seems somewhat depressed with variable pricing, presenting some deals. Transportation has not posed any issues.
As the month drew to a close, the onion market saw mixed activity across various regions, with some fluctuations in demand and market conditions. In Walla Walla, the season is progressing well, with preparations ramping up for the 4th of July. The crew is actively working through the fields, and there is optimism about having some Rosé onions ready, though it will be tight. The quality of the crop is excellent, with ample labor available, and there is a positive sentiment towards the upcoming holiday celebrations.
In Five Points, CA, a four-day field harvest gap is planned to manage packing and clean-up before the intermediates arrive. The white onion market showed improvement, reds remain strong, while yellows are more competitive, especially medium yellows. Quality is the best in years, with well-distributed sizing and no issues with truck availability. The goal is to push through July and pack as many onions as possible before the Pacific Northwest onions come in.
In New Mexico and California, there is a wide range of pricing and quality. New Mexico has had a strong week with steady pricing, despite the influx of cheaper Mexican onions. The shift from winter-over to spring-seeded varieties in New Mexico is expected to bring down the overall size profile. Quality remains high, with good supplies available in both New Mexico and California, particularly of Jumbo Yellow onions. Red onions are a bit tight but expected to have adequate supplies moving forward. The demand for white onions in Mexico has increased significantly, which could impact the market for both white and yellow onions in the US. The Northwest is starting to see some over-winter yellows available. A significant thunder and hailstorm in the Idaho-Eastern Oregon area is still being assessed for damage.
Demand is good for mediums and pre-packs, with steady demand for larger sizes. There was an anticipation of a pull for the upcoming holiday, but it has not yet materialized. Onions are being shipped from California, New Mexico, Mexico (through Texas), and pearls from Idaho. The market for white onions is increasing rapidly, while other colors and sizes have a 2-5 dollar split, indicating variability. Quality is also variable. Freight remains stable and manageable.
In Vidalia, GA, the market has slowed down. Despite this, there is optimism for a recovery, especially with California potentially making a push. The onions in storage are of excellent quality, but sales have been slowed to avoid selling at break-even prices. There is an expectation that the market will pick up again soon.
Crop updates from the Colorado Western Slope and Corine, UT, indicate good growing conditions and well-progressing crops. Harvesting in Colorado is expected to start in September, with Utah following in October.
Overall, the onion market in June 2024 experienced fluctuating demand, particularly with variability in sizes and colors. While some regions reported strong quality and steady shipping, others faced market instability and variable pricing. The focus remains on managing quality and meeting demand as regions transition through their harvest cycles.
Again, thank you to all of our contributors for providing real-time Market and Crop Updates each week, and thank you to all of our OnionBusiness.com readers for coming together as an industry to share onion updates and stories that build a stronger onion community for all of us!
Stay tuned for another exciting six months in 2024!
