The buzz on Peruvian onions

The Peruvian sweet onion is a premium sweet onion during the fall and winter months. Peru remains the second-largest supplier of onions to the United States, following Mexico, with more than $50 million coming into the country in the last year. Imports begin in August and last until February, with peak shipments during the last three months of the year.

Delbert Bland, president of Glenville, GA-based Bland Farms, said the 2018 Peruvian onion crop should be one of the best in years and the company’s nearly 1,500 acres in Peru will produce the type of onions that consumers demand.

John Shuman, president and director of sales of Shuman Produce, based in Reidsville, GA, said its Peruvian Sweet onion crop is coming along as planned and retailers should expect good quality and supply throughout the six to seven month season.

Shuman noted that the company devotes a lot of time to compiling the latest consumer reports and research data for the sweet onion category and designing customized programs for its customers based on these findings.

“Retailers who take advantage of these opportunities should not only see an increase in sales in the sweet onion category, but other items throughout the produce department,” he said. “Sweet onions are versatile and are often purchased along with peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, celery and squash. Displaying these items together in high-traffic areas has the potential to boost sales.”

Sweet onions are a consumer preferred onion variety. Because of that, Shuman Produce offers a year-round sweet onion program so retailers can offer consumers a premium quality sweet onion on a consistent basis.

“During the fall and winter months, consumers are looking for new and delicious recipes for tailgating, as well as easy to prepare indoor recipes,” Shuman said. “Retailers can capitalize on this seasonal trend by displaying RealSweet brand, Peruvian sweet onions with other produce items from a featured recipe.”