Marketing

 U.S. ONIONS

2012 Crop 

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Federal-State 

Market News Service 

Georgia & Idaho 

State Departments of Agriculture 

Oregon State University 

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Cooperating with 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Fruit & Vegetable Programs
2 

Marketing U.S. ONIONS 

2012 CROP 

Foreword

This abbreviated summary is the result of new technology that allows you to select only 

the prices and shipments you are interested in. You can access the Fruit and Vegetable 

Market News Portal at http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/portal/fv.

This will be the last Marketing U.S. Onion Summary that will be issued by this office. 

Budget cuts to the National Agricultural Statistics Service has caused cancellation of 

reports necessary to the completion of this report.

Historical shipment and price information can be obtained by using Run a Custom 

Report or using the Custom Averaging Tool. 

The National Potato and Onion Report is available by free email service. To receive this report by email call 

208-525-0166. It is also available on the Web at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mncs/idop.pdf

If you have any questions, call the Idaho Falls Market News office at 208-525-0166. 

CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS 

PATRICIA R. WILLKIE DEBRA FRIDAY 

Local Representative Local Representative 

MICK J. DAVIE KEITH MURPHY 

Market Reporter Market Reporter 

Idaho Falls, ID Benton Harbor, MI 

(208)525-0166 (269)982-1004 

 

 Released: October 2013 
3 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 Season

California, Imperial Valley 4-5 

California, San Joaquin Valley 6-8 

Colorado, North & East Points 9 

Georgia, Vidalia District 10-11 

Idaho/Malheur County Oregon 12 

Michigan 13 

New Mexico, Southern 14 

New York 15 

Texas, Lower Rio Grande Valley 16 

Texas, San Antonio-Winter Garden- Laredo District 17 

Washington, Columbia Basin/Umatilla Basin Oregon 18-19 

Washington, Walla Walla 20 

Mexican Crossings through South Texas 21 

Peru 22 

 
4 

MARKETING IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, statewide 

acreage planted for spring non-storage onions in 

2012 was 6,700 acres, an increase from 2011 

acreage of 6,500 acres. Harvested acreage in 

2012 was 6,500 acres, an increase from 2011 

acreage of 6,300 acres. Yield per acre in 2012 

was 400 hundredweight (cwt), the same as what 

it was in 2011. Production for 2012 was 

2,600,000 cwt, a slight increase from 2011 

production of 2,520,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the Imperial 

Valley’s 2012 season totaled 2,931 400-cwt 

units. This was a 14 percent increase from 2011 

shipments of 2,581 400-cwt units. 

Fresh shipments started the weekending April 

21, 2012, and continued through the 

weekending June 16, 2012. The peak shipping 

month was May with 2,579 400-cwt units being 

shipped. 

Fresh market shipments, recorded by the 

Federal-State Market News Service in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho, do not include “known” processing 

shipments (although some shipments may end 

up being processed). The Imperial Valley 

reporting region includes the following areas: 

Brawley, El Centro, Holtville, and Imperial. 

Crop & Weather: California’s weather 

underwent a significant change the first week of 

November, 2011. Starting with mild 

temperatures statewide, the weather became 

more like winter with chilly temperatures and 

widespread showers, however, Southern 

California was unaffected by this system. By 

the end of the week, a cold front driven by a low 

pressure though moved into the area bringing 

precipitation to the entire State. The last week 

of November saw cool, showery weather 

lingering over portions of extreme Northern 

California at the start of the week as a low 

pressure trough exited the State. By Tuesday, 

weak high pressure had built over the State 

resulting in dry conditions statewide. An 

offshore flow pattern began to develop for 

Southern California, brining unseasonably warm 

and dry conditions to the south, while Northern 

California had near normal temperatures, with 

areas of fog developing across the valleys. 

Another weather disturbance passed across the 

north on Thanksgiving Day, creating 

widespread showers across Northern and 

Central California. Southern California 

remained dray and warm. By Saturday, a high 

pressure ridge began to build over the State, 

providing paradoxically dry and foggy weather 

across the northern and central portions of the 

State, while the south continued to bask in warm 

sunshine through the weekend. 

The first week of December began with a 

strong, but dry, low pressure system centered in 

Arizona and brushing Southern California. This 

produced dry and gusty conditions which 

brought increased concerns about wildfire 

hazards to the Southland. Northern California 

was under a stable, cool air mass which 

produced widespread freezing conditions across 

much of the central valley. Freeze warnings 

were issued as the sub-freezing temperatures 

persisted for several hours on several mornings 

in that region. This pattern persisted through 

the week. In mid-December, a cold upper level 

low pressure system located over Southern 

California was producing moderate to heavy 

rains across the southern counties. High 

pressure over the north resulted in a dry and 

cold weather regime for Northern California, 

with widespread freezes across the central 

valley. Southern California had dried out as 

high pressure pushed the rain producing low 
5 

pressure system out of the area. The rest of the 

week was a mixture of wind and rain through 

Southern California. Overall, the week 

produced more precipitation for Southern 

California than for Northern California. There 

was widespread freezing which occurred across 

much of the central valley this week. 

During the weekending January 22, 2012, after 

almost two months of mostly dry weather, a 

dynamic, high pressure ridge broke over 

California. This allowed the jet stream to bring 

several storms into the State. The heavy rain 

began in the extreme northern portion of 

California near Crescent City. By mid-week, 

some stem river flooding was occurring along 

the Smith and Van Duzen Rivers, with over 6 

inches of rain falling in 24 hours in Del Norte 

and Humbolt counties. Heavy rain and snow 

began to move southward the end of the week, 

bringing 1 to 4 inches of rain to the northern 

valley. Heavy snow fell in the mountains. Rain 

began to fall in Southern California by the end 

of the week but not as intense. The mountains 

above 4,000 feet received 1 to 5 feet of new 

snow from Blue Canyon to the Donner Summit. 

The storm track moving over the Golden State 

broke the long, dry spell with some impressive 7 

day totals for the week: 8 to 11 inches of rain 

along the coastal region, 2 to 4 inches of rain in 

the central valley, 1 to 2 inches of rain in 

Southern California, and up to 6 feet of new 

snow at the highest elevations. 

In mid-February, weather was affected by a 

series of rather week cold fronts which passed 

over the persistent high pressure ridge that had 

been in place just off the west coast. The 

strongest of the storm systems brought 

widespread showers to the entire State, 

spreading from the north coast early Monday 

and sweeping south and east across California. 

Light to moderate rains were associated with 

this system, with moderate snowfall across the 

northern mountains and the Sierra Nevada. At 

least two other weak frontal systems then passed 

across California as the week progressed. In 

between systems, gusty offshore flow brought 

drying conditions to Southern California. The 

last of the cold fronts moved through during the 

weekend. These storms brought just light 

amounts of precipitation to the Golden State. 

Seasonal precipitation still remains far below 

seasonal normal. The last week in February was 

a warmer, drier week for most of the State. 

The weather weekending March 18 was 

dominated by a broad low pressure area which 

remained off the west coast for most of the 

week. For most of the week, Southern 

California missed the precipitation. The low 

pressure system driving these storms remained 

stationary for much of the week, but by Friday 

night it finally began to move inland. By the 

end of the week, the low pressure moved across 

California and brought widespread rain and 

mountain snow to the entire State, even to 

Southern California. Harvest began in the 

Imperial Valley mid-April and was complete by 

mid-June. 

Marketing: 50-pound sacks of Yellow Grano 

jumbos opened the season at $5.00-6.00 the 

weekending May 5, 2012. The last report was 

issued during the weekending June 2, 2012 at 

$6.00-7.00. 

50-pound sacks of White onions were in too few 

hands to establish a market in the 2012 season. 

No F.O.B. was issued. 

25-pound sacks of Red Globe Type jumbos 

opened the season at $16.00 the weekending 

May 5, 2012. The last report was issued during 

the weekending June 2, 2012 at $14.0-16.00. 

Packaging: Onions were sized, sorted, graded 

and packed prior to shipments. 50-pound sacks 

remain the dominant package for Yellow and 

White types. The most widely used package for 

Red Globe Type onions are the 25-pound sacks. 

Some onions were also packed in baled 2, 3, 5, 

and 10-pound consumer mesh sacks. 
6 

MARKETING SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, statewide 

acreage planted for summer non-storage onions 

in 2012 was 7,500 acres, an increase from 2011 

acreage of 6,900 acres. Harvested acreage in 

2012 was 7,400 acres, an increase from 2011 

acreage of 6,700 acres. Yield per acre in 2012 

was 445 hundredweight (cwt), an 8 percent 

decrease from the 590 cwt it was in 2011. 

Production for 2012 was 4,033,000 cwt, a slight 

increase from 2011 production of 3,953,000 

cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the San 

Joaquin Valley’s 2012 season totaled 9,983 400-

cwt units. This was nearly the same as 2011 

shipments of 9,985 400-cwt units. 

Fresh shipments started the weekending May 

19, 2012, and continued through the 

weekending March 16, 2013. The peak 

shipping month was July with 3,884 400-cwt 

units being shipped. 

Fresh market shipments, recorded by the 

Federal-State Market News Service in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho, do not include “known” processing 

shipments (although some shipments may end 

up being processed). The San Joaquin Valley 

reporting region includes the following areas: 

Lodi, Ripon, Manteca, Modesto, Madera, 

Riverdale, Fresno, Watsonville, Hollister, 

Salinas, Santa Maria, Mendota, Stockton, 

Merced, Oxnard, Somis, Huron, and 

Bakersfield. 

Crop & Weather: California’s weather 

underwent a significant change the first week of 

November, 2011. Starting with mild 

temperatures statewide, the weather became 

more like winter with chilly temperatures and 

widespread showers, however, Southern 

California was unaffected by this system. By 

the end of the week, a cold front driven by a low 

pressure though moved into the area bringing 

precipitation to the entire State. In Fresno 

Country, winter onions were being planted. The 

last week of November saw cool, showery 

weather lingering over portions of extreme 

Northern California at the start of the week as a 

low pressure trough exited the State. By 

Tuesday, weak high pressure had built over the 

State resulting in dry conditions statewide. An 

offshore flow pattern began to develop for 

Southern California, brining unseasonably warm 

and dry conditions to the south, while Northern 

California had near normal temperatures, with 

areas of fog developing across the valleys. 

Another weather disturbance passed across the 

north on Thanksgiving Day, creating 

widespread showers across Northern and 

Central California. Southern California 

remained dray and warm. By Saturday, a high 

pressure ridge began to build over the State, 

providing paradoxically dry and foggy weather 

across the northern and central portions of the 

State, while the south continued to bask in warm 

sunshine through the weekend. The first week 

of December began with a strong, but dry, low 

pressure system centered in Arizona and 
7 

brushing Southern California. This produced 

dry and gusty conditions which brought 

increased concerns about wildfire hazards to the 

Southland. Northern California was under a 

stable, cool air mass which produced 

widespread freezing conditions across much of 

the central valley. Freeze warnings were issued 

as the sub-freezing temperatures persisted for 

several hours on several mornings in that region. 

This pattern persisted through the week. In 

Fresno County, onions were reportedly growing 

at a good rate. Onions were being planted in 

Sutter County. 

In mid-December, a cold upper level low 

pressure system located over Southern 

California was producing moderate to heavy 

rains across the southern counties. High 

pressure over the north resulted in a dry and 

cold weather regime for Northern California, 

with widespread freezes across the central 

valley. Southern California had dried out as 

high pressure pushed the rain producing low 

pressure system out of the area. The rest of the 

week was a mixture of wind and rain through 

Southern California. Overall, the week 

produced more precipitation for Southern 

California than for Northern California. There 

was widespread freezing which occurred across 

much of the central valley this week. Onions 

were growing well in Sutter County. Field 

cultivation and preparation was ongoing. 

During the weekending January 22, 2012, after 

almost two months of mostly dry weather, a 

dynamic, high pressure ridge broke over 

California. This allowed the jet stream to bring 

several storms into the State. The heavy rain 

began in the extreme northern portion of 

California near Crescent City. By mid-week, 

some stem river flooding was occurring along 

the Smith and Van Duzen Rivers, with over 6 

inches of rain falling in 24 hours in Del Norte 

and Humbolt counties. Heavy rain and snow 

began to move southward the end of the week, 

bringing 1 to 4 inches of rain to the northern 

valley. Heavy snow fell in the mountains. Rain 

began to fall in Southern California by the end 

of the week but not as intense. The mountains 

above 4,000 feet received 1 to 5 feet of new 

snow from Blue Canyon to the Donner Summit. 

The storm track moving over the Golden State 

broke the long, dry spell with some impressive 7 

day totals for the week: 8 to 11 inches of rain 

along the coastal region, 2 to 4 inches of rain in 

the central valley, 1 to 2 inches of rain in 

Southern California, and up to 6 feet of new 

snow at the highest elevations. 

During the first two weeks of February, onions 

were being irrigated and fertilized in Fresno 

County. In mid-February, weather was affected 

by a series of rather week cold fronts which 

passed over the persistent high pressure ridge 

that had been in place just off the west coast. 

The strongest of the storm systems brought 

widespread showers to the entire State, 

spreading from the north coast early Monday 

and sweeping south and east across California. 

Light to moderate rains were associated with 

this system, with moderate snowfall across the 

northern mountains and the Sierra Nevada. At 

least two other weak frontal systems then passed 

across California as the week progressed. In 

between systems, gusty offshore flow brought 

drying conditions to Southern California. The 

last of the cold fronts moved through during the 

weekend. These storms brought just light 

amounts of precipitation to the Golden State. 
8 

Seasonal precipitation still remains far below 

seasonal normal. The last week in February was 

a warmer, drier week for most of the State. 

Strong, southerly winds impacted the central 

valley with valley peak gusts up to 60 mph the 

first week of March. The second week saw fall 

planted onions continuing to emerge in Fresno 

County and growing well. The weather 

weekending March 18 was dominated by a 

broad low pressure area which remained off the 

west coast for most of the week. For most of 

the week, Southern California missed the 

precipitation. The low pressure system driving 

these storms remained stationary for much of 

the week, but by Friday night it finally began to 

move inland. By the end of the week, the low 

pressure moved across California and brought 

widespread rain and mountain snow to the entire 

State, even to Southern California. 

Fresno County onions continued to emerge and 

grow well as farmers irrigated and fertilized 

through March and into April. By the end of the 

first week of April they had established a good 

start. Growers also treated fields with 

herbicides for volunteer wheat. By the end of 

April, early varieties were being harvested in 

Tulare County and sold at roadside stands. 

Harvest of the Red Sweet Flat onions began 

mid-May. With the exception of isolated 

thunderstorm activity, no rain fell in Fresno 

County throughout most of May so growers 

needed to irrigate the onions. Onions were 

progressing well in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Onions were treated with herbicides the second 

week of June and continued to grow well in 

Fresno County. Light harvest began in San 

Joaquin County mid-June. Throughout the rest 

of the month fields were being irrigated and 

fertilized. Harvest began in Stanislaus, San 

Joaquin, and Sutter Counties. Harvest 

continued in the San Joaquin growing area 

throughout June, July, August, and was 

generally complete by mid-September. 

Marketing: The first report of Red Flat Type 

jumbos in 40-pound cartons was issued the 

weekending May 26, 2012 at $25.00-27.95. 

The last report was issued during the 

weekending July 14, 2012 at $18.00-20.95. 

50-pound sacks of Yellow Hybrid jumbos 

opened the season at $6.00-7.00 the weekending 

June 9, 2012. The last report was issued during 

the weekending August 25, 2012 at $7.00-10.00. 

50-pound sacks of White onions jumbos opened 

the season during the weekending June 23, 2012 

at $9.00-10.00. The last report was issued 

during the weekending August 4, 2012 at $9.00-

12.00. 

25-pound sacks of Red Globe Type jumbos 

opened the season at $14.00-15.00 during the 

weekending June 9, 2012. The last report was 

issued during the weekending August 25, 2012 

at $10.00-16.00. Red Flat Type jumbos opened 

the season at $12.00-16.95 during the 

weekending June 9, 2012. The last report was 

issued during the weekending July 14, 2012 at 

$11.00-12.95. 

Packaging: Onions were sized, sorted, graded 

and packed prior to shipments. 50-pound sacks 

remain the dominant package for Yellow and 

White types. The most widely used package for 

Red Globe Type onions are the 25-pound sacks. 

Some onions were also packed in baled 2, 3, 5, 

and 10-pound consumer mesh sacks. 
9 

MARKETING THE NORTH AND EAST POINTS COLORADO ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6,500 

acres of storage onions planted in Colorado in 

2012, which was a 13 percent decrease from the 

2011 total of 7,500 acres. Harvested acreage in 

2012 was 6,200 compared to 6,900 acres in 

2011. Yield in 2012 was 420 hundredweight 

(cwt) per acre, an increase from the 2011 yield 

of 415 cwt. Production in 2012 was 2,604,000 

cwt, a 9 percent decrease from 2011 production 

of 2,864,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the North 

and East Points Colorado District 2012 season 

totaled 3,520 400-cwt units, a 40 percent 

decrease from 2011s 5,870 400-cwt units. 

Fresh shipments started the weekending July 18, 

2012 and continued through the weekending 

March 09, 2013. August was the peak shipping 

month with 628 400-cwt units shipped. Fresh 

market shipments, recorded by the Federal-State 

Market News Service in Idaho Falls, Idaho, do 

not include “known” processing shipments 

(although some shipments may end up being 

processed). 

The North and East Points Colorado reporting 

areas include the following counties: Weld, 

Morgan, Adams, Pueblo, and Otero. 

Growing Conditions: Conditions the first 

week of March across the State were warm and 

dry. Most of the State experienced precipitation 

levels below average for that time of year. 

During the weekending March 20, conditions 

across Colorado continued to be extremely dry. 

The following week Colorado continued to 

experience below average precipitation levels. 

Temperatures were above normal. The crop 

was 18 percent planted compared to 24 percent 

in 2011. Colorado received some much needed 

moisture weekending April 29 but precipitation 

levels were still well below average. 

Temperatures were normal for the week. 

Colorado precipitation levels continued to be 

below normal most of growing season. By 

weekending May 13 the onion crop was 99 

percent planted which was 4 percent ahead of 

the 5 year average of 96 percent. 

Harvest started the middle of July and was 

complete by the end of October. 

Marketing: Due to many growers not growing 

onions for the 2012 season, we were unable to 

report shipping point process for this district. 

Packaging: Yellow and White onions are 

packed in 50-pound mesh sacks. Red Globe 

Types are packed in 25-pound mesh sacks. 
10 

MARKETING VIDALIA DISTRICT, GEORGIA ONIONS

2012 CROP

Production: The Vidalia District production 

area is located in the southeastern section of the 

State. The Georgia Department of Agriculture 

first defined the production area in 1986 to 

include all or parts of approximately twenty 

southeastern counties. Legislation requires 

onions to be of the Granex Type in order to 

carry the Vidalia Sweet Onion label. According 

to the Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service of 

the USDA, growers planted 12,700 acres in 

2012, a decrease from 2011s 13,600 acres. 

Harvested onion acreage in 2012 was 10,600 

acres, a decrease from 2011s acreage of 12,100 

acres. Yield per acre was 230 hundredweight 

(cwt), a decrease from 2011s yield of 245 cwt. 

Total production in 2012 was 2,438,000 cwt, 

compared to 2011 production of 2,965,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the Vidalia 

District in Georgia were 4,410 400-cwt units, a 

22 percent decrease from the 2011 shipments of 

5,618 400-cwt units. May was the peak 

shipping month with 1,680 400-cwt units 

shipped. Of the 4,410 units shipped, 22 400-cwt 

units were organic. Onions are marketed and 

shipped commercially by truck. There is also a 

considerable amount marketed via roadside 

stands and mail order. 

Weather & Crop: Precipitation estimates for 

the last week in October, 2011 ranged from no 

rain to one inch. The week’s average 

temperatures ranged from the lower 50s to the 

mid 60s. Four percent of the onions had been 

transplanted which was earlier than the 2011 

crop. By the end of November, 51 percent of 

the onions had been transplanted compared to 

29 percent for the 2011 crop. 

January’s climate varied only slightly from 

Decembers. Precipitation estimates for the 

month ranged from 0.5 inches on the southeast 

coast up to 9.5 inches in the northern 

Appalachian area of the State. The month’s 

average temperature ranged from the lower 40s 

to the upper 50s. Georgia was warmer than 

normal for this time of year and received only 

half of the chill hours that were received in 

January of 2011. Rains had given some relief 

from the exceptional drought; however, extreme 

drought still covered roughly 67 percent of the 

State compared to less than 7 percent on year 

ago. 
11 

Georgia’s February climate warmed slightly 

from January. Precipitation estimates for the 

month ranged from an inch in the eastern 

Piedmont region of the State up to 5 inches in 

the southwestern Coastal Plain area. The 

month’s average temperature ranged from the 

lower 40s to the upper 50s. All of Georgia was 

warmer than normal for that time of year and 

received less chill hours than were received in 

February 2011. Rains had given some relief 

from the exceptional drought; however, extreme 

drought still covered over 2/3 of the State 

compared to zero percent one year ago. 

By the end of March, the onion crop was rated 

at 30 percent fair condition, 65 percent good 

condition, and 5 percent excellent condition. By 

the end of the first week in April, continued 

warm temperatures and lack of rain was 

affecting crop condition. Harvest began midApril with 18 percent completed compared to 13 

percent in 2011. Condition continued to decline 

with 15 percent of the crop in poor condition, 59 

percent in fair, 25 percent in good, and only 1 

percent of the crop reported to be in excellent 

condition. By the end of April, harvest was 37 

percent complete, compared to 54 percent in 

2011. Crop condition had improved slightly. 

By mid-May, harvest was 77 percent complete, 

compared to 60 percent in 2011. Harvest was 

generally complete by the end of May, 2012. 

Marketing: The first report was issued during 

the weekending April 14, 2012. 40-pound 

cartons of U.S. One Yellow Granex – Marked 

Sweet jumbos were $14.00-16.00. The last 

report was issued during the weekending July 

14 at $24.00. The first report of Organic was 

issued during the weekending May 12, 2012. 

40-pound cartons of U.S. One Yellow Granex – 

Marked Sweet Organic jumbos was $24.00. 

The last report was issued during the 

weekending June 9, 2012 at $26.00. 

Packaging: The most widely used package for 

the Yellow Granex – Marked Sweet onion in 

2012 was the 40-pound carton. Shippers also 

used master container 12 3-pound, 16 3-pound, 

24 2-pound, and 8 5-pound mesh sacks. 

 
12 

MARKETING THE IDAHO AND MALHEUR COUNTY, OREGON ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: There were 19,400 

acres of onions planted in the two-State district 

in 2012, according to the National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (8,700 acres in Idaho and 

10,700 acres in Malheur County, Oregon). This 

was a 4 percent decrease from the 2011 acreage 

of 20,700 acres (9,400 acres in Idaho and 

11,300 acres in Malheur County). 19,100 acres 

were harvested in 2012 (8,500 acres in Idaho 

and 10,600 acres in Malheur County), a 7 

percent decrease from the 20,500 acres 

harvested in 2011. 

The yield per acre in Idaho was 730 cwt per 

acre, a 6 percent decrease from the 780 cwt per 

acre yield in 2011. The yield per acre in 

Malheur County was 750 cwt per acre, a 3 

percent increase from the 730 cwt per acre yield 

in 2011. Production in Idaho was 6,205,000 cwt 

and in Malheur County it was 7,950,000 cwt for 

a total of 14,155,000 cwt. This was an 8 percent 

decrease from the 2011 production of 

15,425,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments for the 2012 

season totaled 22,849 400-cwt units. This was a 

7 percent decrease from the 2011 shipments of 

24,692 400-cwt units. 

Shipments started July 2012 and continued 

through June 2013. October was the peak 

shipping month with 3,180 400-cwt units 

shipped. 

Exports for the season totaled 1,287 400-cwt 

units, a 20 percent decrease from the 2011 

exports of 1,609 400-cwt units. 

Fresh market shipments do not include “known” 

processing shipments (although some shipments 

may end up being processed). 

Planting, Growing, & Harvest: Onions were 

being planted by Idaho growers by the first 

week of March. By the end of the weekending 

April 2, 60 percent of the crop had been planted 

and none had begun to emerge. By mid-April, 

temperatures across the State were mostly 

normal. All regions of the State reported below 

normal precipitation. By weekending April 23, 

planting was completed which was ahead of last 

year and the average. Emergence, was 

comparable to 2011 numbers with 20 percent of 

the crop was emerged compared to 18 percent in 

2011. By the weekending May 07, emergence 

was 100 percent compared to 2011s 42 percent. 

Warm, dry weather continued through July and 

August and harvest started at the end of the third 

week of July. By the end of August harvest was 

10 percent complete, compared to 4 percent in 

2011. By mid-October harvest was complete 

which was the ahead of 2011 by 13 percent and 

ahead of the five year average by 14 percent. 

Marketing: The first report for Yellow 

Spanish Hybrid jumbo 50-pound sacks U.S. One 

was issued during the weekending August 11, 

2012 at $12.00. The last report was issued 

during the weekending April 27, 2013 at $7.00-

8.00. 

The first report for White Type large 50-pound 

sacks U.S. One was issued during the 

weekending August 25, 2012 at $12.00. The 

last report was issued during the weekending 

April 20, 2013 at $25.00. 

The first report for Red Globe Type large U.S. 

One was issued during the weekending August 

25, 2013 at $13.00-15.00. The last report was 

issued during the weekending April 20, 2013 at 

$25.00. 

Packaging: The dry onions were sized, sorted, 

graded and packed just prior to shipment from 

the field to storage. 50-pound sacks remain the 

dominant package for Yellow and White onions 

and 25-pound sacks for Red onions. Cartons for 

food service and retail are gaining in popularity; 

some onions were also packed in 2, 3, 5, and 10-

pound consumer mesh sacks in cartons. 
13 

MARKETING MICHIGAN ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage and Production: According to the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, planted 

acreage in Michigan decreased about 23 percent 

from 3,900 acres in 2011 to 3,000 this season. 

Harvested acreage decreased by 18 percent from 

3,400 acres in 2011, to 2,800 acres this season. 

Production decreased from 816 (1,000 cwt) in 

2011 to 644 (1,000 cwt) this season. This was a 

decrease of 21 percent. This season, yields 

decreased slightly coming in at an average of 

230 cwt per acre. This was a decrease of 4 

percent from last season but was again well 

below the 350 cwt per acre in 2009. 

Harvesting: Light harvest began mid-July and 

most growers were finished by late September. 

Shipments: The first shipments were reported 

the week ending August 24, 2012. A total of 

1,041 loads were shipped this season compared 

to 1,170 loads last season. This was a decrease 

of 11 percent from last season. The last 

shipments were reported the weekending 

February 9, 2013, nearly six weeks earlier than 

normal. 

Marketing: The first F.O.B. was issued the 

weekending September 1, 2012. Yellow Globe 

Type 16 3-pound mesh sacks of medium sold 

for $12.00-13.00 with repacker size at $10.00-

11.00. The first report for Red Globe Type was 

reported the weekending November 10, 2012 

when 25-pound sacks of jumbo were sold for 

$8.50-10.50. The final report was issued the 

weekending February 9, 2013 when 16 3-pound 

Yellow medium sold for $14.00-16.50 and 

repacker size at $10.00-11.00. The last report 

for Reds was issued the weekending January 26, 

2013 when 25-pound sacks of jumbo sold for 

$20.00-23.00 and medium brought $14.00-

16.00. 
14 

MARKETING SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, New Mexico 

statewide acreage for summer non-processing 

onions in 2012 was 5,500 acres, a decrease from 

6,100 acres in 2011. Harvested acreage in 2012 

was 5,400 acres, compared to 5,900 acres in 

2011. The yield per acre in 2012 was 530 

hundredweight (cwt), a 15 percent increase from 

the 2011 yield of 460 cwt. Production in 2012 

was 2,862,000 cwt, which was 5 percent more 

than the 2011 production of 2,714,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments for the 2012 

season totaled 7,022 400-cwt units, which was a 

decrease of 2 percent from the 2011 shipments 

of 7,199 400-cwt units. Fresh shipments started 

the weekending May 26, 2012 and continued 

through the weekending September 08, 2012. 

The peak shipping month was July with 2,947 

400-cwt units. 

Fresh market shipments, recorded by the 

Federal-State Market News Service in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho, do not include “Known” 

processing shipments (although some shipments 

may end up being processed). 

The Southern New Mexico reporting area 

includes the following areas: Las Cruces, 

Hatch, Demming, Anthony, New Mexico and 

Fabins, Texas. 

Crop & Weather: Temperatures were mostly 

normal for much of the planting season. 

Growers were able to get 100 percent of the 

crop planted by the first of April. During much 

of the growing season temperatures averaged 

from near to a few degrees above normal. 

Weekending May 27 harvest was 17 percent 

complete which was ahead of the five year 

average which was 7 percent. Onion condition 

percentages was 47 fair, 34 good, and 19 

excellent. By the end of June, onions were 60 

percent harvested, compared to 35 percent last 

year. 

During the last week of July harvest was 90 

percent complete, compared to 89 percent in 

2011. Harvest was complete by the first part of 

August. 

Marketing: The first report for Yellow Grano 

jumbos in 50-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending June 02, 2012 at $8.00-9.00. The 

last report was issued the weekending August 

11, 2012 at $14.00. 

The first report for White Type jumbo onions in 

50-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending June 02, 2012 at $14.00. The last 

report was issued the weekending August 04, 

2012 at $12.00-14.00. 

The first report for Red Globe Type jumbo 

onions in 25-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending June 02, 2012 at $15.00-16.00. 

The last report was issued the weekending 

August 11, 2012 at $13.00-16.00. 

Packaging: Onions were sized, sorted, graded 

and packed prior to shipment. 50-pound sacks 

remain the dominant package for Yellow and 

White onions. Red Globe Type is packaged 

primarily in 25-pound sacks. Some onions were 

also packed in 2, 3, 5, and 10-pound consumer 

mesh sacks. 
15 

MARKETING NEW YORK ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage and Production: According to the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, planted 

acreage in New York increased significantly this 

season to 10,200 acres, compared to 8,100 acres 

last season, a 20 percent increase. Harvested 

acreage increased dramatically by 39 percent 

from 6,200 acres in 2011, to 10,100 acres this 

season. Yield per acre increased slightly this 

season from 305 cwt per acre in 2011 to 310 cwt 

per acre in 2012. Production in 1,000 cwt in 

2011 was 1,891 compared to 3,131 this season. 

This was a 40 percent increase and much closer 

to average for the state. 

Harvesting: Initial harvesting of early seeded 

varieties began in late August and was complete 

by the middle of October. Fortunately, hurricane 

Sandy didn’t hit the region until late October 

after harvesting was complete. 

Shipments: The first shipments were reported 

the weekending July 28, 2012 when 50 loads 

were shipped. A total of 4,743 loads were 

shipped this season compared to 1,327 loads last 

season. This was a dramatic increase of 68 

percent from last season. The last shipments 

were reported the weekending May 4, 2013 

when 65 loads were shipped. 

Marketing: The first F.O.B. was issued the 

weekending August 11, 2012 when Yellow 

Globe Type 16 3-pound mesh sacks of medium 

2 1/4 inch minimum sold for $9.00-10.00 with 2 

inch minimum at $9.50-11.00. The first report 

for Red Globe Type was reported the 

weekending August 18, 2012 when 25-pound 

sacks of jumbo were sold for $14.00-15.00 and 

medium at $10.00-11.00. The final report was 

issued the weekending April 27, 2013 when 50-

pound sacks of yellow medium 2 1/4 minimum 

sold for $10.00-11.00, 2 inch minimum at 

$9.00-10.00, 16 3-pound yellow medium 2 1/4 

minimum sold for $14.00-15.00 and 2 inch 

minimum at $13.00-14.00. The last report for 

Reds was issued the weekending January 26, 

2013 when 25-pound sacks of jumbo sold for 

$24.00-28.00. 
16 

MARKETING LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage & Production: According to the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, Lower 

Rio Grande Valley acreage for spring nonprocessing onions in 2012 was 7,320 acres, 

which was a decrease of 28 percent from the 

2011 acreage of 10,237 acres. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the Lower 

Rio Grande Valley 2012 season totaled 3,235 

400-cwt units, a 41 percent decrease from the 

2011 fresh shipments of 5,494 400-cwt units. 

Fresh shipments started the weekending March 

12, 2012 and continued through the weekending 

June 12, 2012. April was the peak shipping 

month with 1,957 400-cwt units shipped. 

Fresh market shipments, recorded by the 

Federal-State Market News Service in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho, do not include “known” processing 

shipments (although some shipments may end 

up being processed). 

Growing Conditions: By the end of October 

2011 the onions were making good progress in 

South Texas and irrigation of onions was active. 

Harvest was began in March and continued 

through the end of May. 

Marketing: The first report for Yellow Grano 

jumbos in 50-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending March 31, 2012 at $8.00. The last 

report was issued during the weekending May 

12, 2012 at $10.00. 

The first report for Yellow Grano Type – 

Marked Sweet jumbos in 40-pound cartons was 

issued during the weekending March 24, 2012 at 

$12.00. The last report was issued during the 

weekending May 05, 2012 at $12.00. 

The first report for White Type jumbos in 50-

pound sacks was issued during the weekending 

April 14, 2012 at $16.00-18.00. The last report 

was issued during the weekending May 12 2012 

at $14.00-16.00. 

The first report for Red Globe Type jumbos in 

25-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending April 07, 2012 at $14.00-16.00. 

The last report was issued during the 

weekending May 12, 2012 at $18.00-20.00. 

Packaging: Onion were sized, sorted, graded, 

and packed prior to shipment. Yellow and 

White onions are packed in 50-pound mesh 

sacks with some Yellow Grano Type also 

packed in 40-pound cartons. Red Globe Type is 

packaged primarily in 25-pound sacks. Some 

onions were also packed in 2, 3, 5, and 10-

pound consumer mesh sacks. 

Transportation: The usual load of onion will 

consist of 800-860 50-pound sacks or 960-1008 

40-pound cartons. 
17 

MARKETING SAN ANTONIO-WINTERGARDEN-LAREDO AREA ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 2,109 

acres of onion planted in the San AntonioWinter Garden-Laredo area in 2012. This was a 

25 percent decrease from the 2011 acreage of 

2,827 acres. 

Growing & Harvesting: Producers in San 

Antonio-Winter Garden-Laredo area were 

preparing land for onions in early October, 2011 

and planting them by mid-October. Harvest 

began the first week of April, 2012 and ended 

the end of June. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the San 

Antonio-Winter Garden-Laredo District 2012 

season totaled 2,575 400-cwt units, a 9 percent 

increase from 2011s shipments of 2,361 400-

cwt units. 

Fresh shipments started the weekending April 

12, 2012 and continued until the weekending 

July 12, 2012. May was the peak shipping 

month with 1141 400-cwt units shipped. Fresh 

market shipments, recorded by the Federal-State 

Market News Service in Idaho Falls, Idaho, do 

not include “known” processing shipments 

(although some shipments may end up being 

processed). 

The San Antonio-Winter Garden-Laredo 

reporting area includes the following areas: 

Pearsall, Castroville, Devine, Knippa, Uvalde, 

Batesville, Jourdantan, Charlotte, Bracketville, 

La Pryor, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, 

Qucmado, Eagle Pass, Dilley, and Laredo. 

Marketing: The first report of Yellow Grano 

jumbos in 50-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending May 05, 2012 at $7.50. The last 

report was issued during the weekending June 

16, 2012 at $7.50. 

The first report of White Type jumbos in 50-

pound sacks was issued during the weekending 

May 05, 2012 at $17.00. The last report was 

issued during the weekending June 16, 2012 at 

$12.00. 

The first report of Red Globe Type jumbos in 

25-pound sacks was issued during the 

weekending May 05, 2012 at $20.00. The last 

report was issued during the weekending June 

02, 2012 at $17.00. 

Packaging: Yellow and White onions are 

packed in 50-pound mesh sacks with some 

Yellow Grano Type also packed in 40-pound 

cartons. Red Globe Type is packed in 25-pound 

mesh sacks. 
18 

MARKETING COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON & UMATILLA BASIN OREGON ONIONS

2012 CROP

Production: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, 23,500 acres of 

onions were planted and harvested in 2012 in 

the Columbia Basin, an 18 percent increase 

from the 20,000 acres planted and harvested in 

2011. The yield per acre was 590 

hundredweight (cwt) in 2012, which was 8 

percent lower than the 2011 yield of 650 cwt per 

acre. Production in 2012 was 13,865,000 cwt, a 

increase of 7 percent from 2011 production of 

13,000,000 cwt. There is no individual 

production information available for the 

Umatilla Basin Oregon growing area. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the 

Columbia Basin Washington 2012 season 

totaled 26,547 400-cwt units, an 8 percent 

decrease from the 2011 shipments of 28,848 

400-cwt units. Fresh shipments from the 

Umatilla Basin Oregon 2012 season totaled 

6,329 400-cwt units. 

The peak shipping month for the Columbia 

Basin Washington was January with 3,248 400-

cwt units shipped. The peak shipping month for 

Umatilla Basin Oregon was September with 844 

400-cwt units shipped. 

Fresh market shipments, recorded by the 

Federal-State Market News Service in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho, do not include “known” processing 

shipments (although some shipments may end 

up being processed). 

Growing Conditions: Spring was cool and wet 

which delayed planting and slowed crop 

development. During May, more than twice the 

average precipitation than normal was received. 

Some over-wintered onions were harvested the 

end of June and then transplant harvest began in 

July. August and September saw normal to 

above normal temperatures which allowed 

harvest to progress quickly. 
19 

Harvest continued through September and 

October and was generally complete by the end 

of October. 

Marketing: The first report of 50-pound sacks 

of Yellow Hybrid jumbos was issued the 

weekending June 30, 2012 at $7.00-8.00. The 

last report was issued during the weekending 

May 11, 2013 at $8.00-9.00. 

The first report of 40-pound cartons of Yellow 

Hybrid – Marked Sweet jumbos was issued the 

weekending August 25, 2012 at $12.00. The 

last report was issued during the weekending 

January 05, 2013 at $11.00-13.00. 

The first report of 50-pound sacks of White 

Type jumbos was issued during the weekending 

August 25, 2012 at $12.00. The last report was 

issued during the weekending March 09, 2013 at 

$20.00-22.00. 

The first report of 25-pound sacks of Red Globe 

Type jumbos was issued during the weekending 

August 25, 2012 at $11.00-12.00. The last 

report was issued during the weekending April 

6, 2013 at $22.00-24.00. 

Packaging: Onions were sized, sorted, graded 

and packed prior to shipments. The Yellow 

Hybrid jumbo size onion is considered to be 3 

inches and larger, medium size are considered to 

be 2 1⁄4 -3 inches. 50-pound sacks remain the 

dominant package for Yellow Hybrids and 

Whites and 25-pound sacks remain the 

dominant package for the Red Globe Type. 

Some onions were also packed in 2, 3, 5, and 

10-pound consumer mesh sacks. Onions for 

offshore export are packed in 20-kilorgram (44-

pound) mesh sacks. Washington onions are not 

covered by marketing orders or inspection 

requirements. 
20 

MARKETING THE WALLA WALLA WASHINGTON ONIONS

2012 CROP

Acreage: According to the National 

Agricultural Statistics Service, 3,100 acres of 

Walla Walla and other non-storage onions were 

planted and harvested in 2012, which was a 

increase of 41 percent from what was planted 

and harvested in 2011. The yield per acre in 

2012 was 370 hundredweight (cwt) per acre, a 

increase from the 2011 yield of 350 cwt per 

acre. Production in 2012 was 1,147,000 cwt, 

which was up 49 percent from the 20011 

production of 770,000 cwt. 

Shipments: Fresh shipments from the Walla 

Walla District 2012 season were 556 400-cwt 

units (68 400-cwt units were exports). This was 

an 8 percent decrease from 2011 shipments of 

603 400-cwt units. July was the peak shipping 

month with 288 400-cwt units. 

Growing Conditions: Weather during the first 

week of April had above normal precipitation 

and delayed field work. May was warmer than 

normal and ended up having average rainfall. 

Weather through much of the growing season 

was normal to above average temperatures 

which allowed the crop to be harvested on time. 

Harvest started the end of June and was 

generally complete by the end of July. 

Marketing: The first report was released 

during the weekending June 30, 2012 with 40-

pound cartons of Walla Walla Sweet jumbos at 

$16.00. The last report was issued during the 

weekending August 11, 2012 at $15.00. 

Packaging: Onions were sized, sorted, and 

packed prior to shipment. 40-pound cartons and 

50-pound sacks remain the dominant packages. 

Some onions are also packed in consumer and 

gift packs as well. 
21 

MARKETING MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS ONIONS

2012 CROP

Crossings: Light crossings through South 

Texas border stations started in early September 

2012. Imports are gathered by APHIS officers 

and provided to Market News on a daily basis. 

Imports continued to enter the United States 

until August, 2013. 

2012 Mexican crossings through South Texas 

totaled 6,668 400-cwt units. This was a 6 

percent decrease from the 2011 crossings 

through South Texas of 7,110 400-cwt units. 

The peak crossings month was March with 

2,089 400-cwt units shipped. 

Marketing: The first report on 50-pound sacks 

of Yellow Grano jumbos was issued the 

weekending January 21, 2012 at $8.50. The last 

report was issued the weekending April 21, 

2012 at $7.50. 

The first report on 40-pound cartons of Yellow 

Grano Type – Marked Sweet jumbos was issued 

the weekending January 14, 2012 at $13.00. 

The last report was issued the weekending April 

14, 2012 at $11.00. 

The first report of 50-pound sacks of White 

Type jumbos was issued the weekending March 

03, 2012 at $27.50. The last report was issued 

the weekending April 21, 2012 at $18.00. 

The first report on 25-pound sacks of Red Globe 

Type jumbos was issued the weekending March 

03, 2012 at $6.00. The last report was issued 

the weekending April 21, 2012 at $13.00. 

Packaging: Yellow and White onions were 

packed in 50-pound mesh sacks. The Yellow 

Grano Type – Marked Sweet were packed in 40-

pound cartons. Red Globe Type is packed in 

25-pound sacks. 
22 

MARKETING PERU ONIONS

2012 CROP

Shipments: Limited boat arrivals in containers 

began coming into various East Coast ports in 

July with light truck shipments also beginning 

in July. The number of importers remained 

limited throughout August. 

Imports arrived at many different ports 

including: Miami, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 

Savannah, GA, Charleston, SC, Houston, TX, 

and Newark, NJ. 

Movement from U.S. inland packing sheds or 

ports is as reported by the Market News Service, 

U.S. Commerce data is not used. Fresh onion 

shipments from Peru for the 2012 crop totaled 

3,462 400-cwt units. This was a 4 percent 

decrease from the 2011 shipments of 3,588 400-

cwt units. The peak shipping month was 

December with 665 400-cwt units shipped. 

Marketing: The first report on a 40-pound 

carton of Yellow Granex – Marked Sweet 

jumbo that was repacked at various East Coast 

Shipping Points was issued the weekending 

August 11, 2012 at $22.00-24.00. The last 

report was issued the weekending February 12, 

2013 at $22.00-25.00. 

Packaging: Most importers shipped the onions 

in bulk containers and packed the onions in the 

United States. A few onions were sized, graded, 

stickered and boxed prior to shipment from 

Peru. Jumbo and colossal onions were both 

primarily packed in 40-pound cartons.