Onion crop makes seasonal transition to Texas
Onion crop makes seasonal transition to Texas
As April gets long in the tooth, the relatively seamless transition between onion production from Mexico and south Texas is just about complete, as producers from the Lone Star State anticipate a better second half of the season.
During the week of April 18, onion crossings from Mexico were all but complete as virtually all Texas onion shippers were in full production. Shipments from Texas began in late March, but as is typically the case, promotable volume didn't hit the marketplace until mid-April. Most Texas shippers will remain in production through May and into June.
Acreage is up this year, but the rainy growing season has reduced the size of the onions themselves, which should offset the increased acreage and result in a crop very similar in volume to 2004. Acreage in the 35 counties covered by the federal marketing order for Texas onions has been reported at 15,433 acres for 2005. This is an increase of about 7 percent from last year's figure of 14,436 acres.
Onion sizing was a bit difficult early in the season as rain and cold in the growing season did cause some problems with the early production. Those problems however, helped reduce the overall size of the crop, which is probably a blessing as producers enter the second half of the season.
Another plus for Texas is a reduction in the California desert crop, also hurt by rain and a cold growing season.
Though acreage in California's Imperial Valley is similar to the last two years, yields are expected to be down. Add to that the potential labor shortage caused by the increased activity at the Arizona-Mexico and California-Mexico borders by the Border Patrol and the private group calling itself "the Minutemen" and there is a volatile situation.
As one Texas shipper quipped, "It's the old story of one area's bad fortune helps other areas out.
There were also other good signs as the Northwest cleaned up fairly quickly this year and Mexico did not have a particularly heavy year. Typically about one-third of the volume sold from south Texas during this time of the year comes from Mexico. Observers said that this pattern held true this year.
"It has actually been a pretty good year, said Mike Martin of Rio Queen Inc. in Mission, TX. "There has been some sizing problems, but it has been a pretty good deal for us for both the whites and the reds.
Mr. Martin did say, however, that some growers have had a much tougher time, having to deal with poor yields and small sizes due to the growing conditions. Melinda Goodman of Four Seasons Trading Co. in Donna, TX, agreed that her firm is looking for a better second half of the season. She said that quality of the crop has improved in recent days, and with Mexican production coming to an end, Four Seasons was expecting better prices.
Though there is a relatively seamless transition between Mexico and Texas production, and most shippers handle both, there typically is a boost in price when the shift occurs. Sellers say that buyers like new deals. Whenever the production area shifts, there is a new excitement that can result in increased promotions and better movement of product.
It would also help if the spring weather across the country heats up a bit and those barbecues are dusted off and fired up.
(A full report on Texas onions, melons and tropicals appears in the April 25 issue of The Produce News.)
During the week of April 18, onion crossings from Mexico were all but complete as virtually all Texas onion shippers were in full production. Shipments from Texas began in late March, but as is typically the case, promotable volume didn't hit the marketplace until mid-April. Most Texas shippers will remain in production through May and into June.
Acreage is up this year, but the rainy growing season has reduced the size of the onions themselves, which should offset the increased acreage and result in a crop very similar in volume to 2004. Acreage in the 35 counties covered by the federal marketing order for Texas onions has been reported at 15,433 acres for 2005. This is an increase of about 7 percent from last year's figure of 14,436 acres.
Onion sizing was a bit difficult early in the season as rain and cold in the growing season did cause some problems with the early production. Those problems however, helped reduce the overall size of the crop, which is probably a blessing as producers enter the second half of the season.
Another plus for Texas is a reduction in the California desert crop, also hurt by rain and a cold growing season.
Though acreage in California's Imperial Valley is similar to the last two years, yields are expected to be down. Add to that the potential labor shortage caused by the increased activity at the Arizona-Mexico and California-Mexico borders by the Border Patrol and the private group calling itself "the Minutemen" and there is a volatile situation.
As one Texas shipper quipped, "It's the old story of one area's bad fortune helps other areas out.
There were also other good signs as the Northwest cleaned up fairly quickly this year and Mexico did not have a particularly heavy year. Typically about one-third of the volume sold from south Texas during this time of the year comes from Mexico. Observers said that this pattern held true this year.
"It has actually been a pretty good year, said Mike Martin of Rio Queen Inc. in Mission, TX. "There has been some sizing problems, but it has been a pretty good deal for us for both the whites and the reds.
Mr. Martin did say, however, that some growers have had a much tougher time, having to deal with poor yields and small sizes due to the growing conditions. Melinda Goodman of Four Seasons Trading Co. in Donna, TX, agreed that her firm is looking for a better second half of the season. She said that quality of the crop has improved in recent days, and with Mexican production coming to an end, Four Seasons was expecting better prices.
Though there is a relatively seamless transition between Mexico and Texas production, and most shippers handle both, there typically is a boost in price when the shift occurs. Sellers say that buyers like new deals. Whenever the production area shifts, there is a new excitement that can result in increased promotions and better movement of product.
It would also help if the spring weather across the country heats up a bit and those barbecues are dusted off and fired up.
(A full report on Texas onions, melons and tropicals appears in the April 25 issue of The Produce News.)
