“As they say in real estate, this could be a seller's market for a while.” So says Dante Galeazzi, CEO/president of the Texas International Fresh Produce Association of the onion market right now.
Texas onion production is transitioning north to the Uvalde-Wintergarden-Quemado region.
In Texas, the Rio Grande Valley is wrapping up its onion season and transitioning north to the Uvalde-Wintergarden-Quemado region. “Supplies are tight right now and are likely to remain limited for the next three weeks due to the cooler temperatures over the last month,” says Galeazzi. “Wintergarden has not yet hit full stride, which is untypical in an average season. However, that just means that peak volume will come a bit later. The good news is that this will result in a longer season and Texas supplies could be available well into late July.”
Photo: Cargil Farms
Limited availability ahead
Along with Texas, also shipping onions right now are Georgia and California, though Galeazzi adds that weather could keep their supplies lighter as well. “This has played a factor in the onion markets staying higher priced at this time of year in comparison with the last few years,” he says. He adds that it’s likely to be the case for a majority of the summer as multiple growing regions experienced late cold snaps or wetter winters than the U.S. has seen in the last few years. Alongside the Texas forecast, California and Georgia have light volumes, New Mexico has not quite started yet and the Pacific Northwest is cleaning up its supplies. All of that means there will be at least a few months with limited availability of onions across the country.
Left: Texas onion supplies could be available well into late July; right: box of onions from Cargil Farms
As for demand, it has remained steady if not elevated for Texas onions compared to previous years. “This has driven the strong and steady movement of the supplies and the market for South Texas onions,” adds Galeazzi.
For more information:
Melinda Goodman
Texas International Fresh Produce Association
[email protected]
https://texipa.org/