Matt Curry, president of Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, said Walla Walla sweet onions are nothing short of extraordinary. “Walla Walla sweet onions are certainly the best-known sweet onion in the Pacific Northwest,” he told The Produce News. “Growers, retailers and consumers are proud of this regional favorite. Walla Walla sweets are also well-known from the West Coast to Chicago and have niche markets throughout the rest of the country. The unique name and sweet flavor always seem to attract consumers from all corners of the U.S.”

Curry & Co. is a year-round marketer of sweet onions, and Walla Wallas are an integral part of the company’s program. “In the Pacific Northwest you see them constantly available at roadside stands throughout Washington and Oregon,” he continued. “You also see several places run seasonal specials such as a Northwest burger chain which sells Walla Walla sweet onion rings.”

Curry & Co. will once again partner with River Point Farms to market Walla Walla sweet onions under the ‘Double Sweet’ label. (Photo courtesy of Curry & Co.)Conditions during the 2013 production season have been favorable. “We have had a very good growing season for Walla Walla sweet onions,” Mr. Curry said. “We’ve had a warm spring during the day, and although the frost season ran until the end of April, we’re expecting a strong crop of Walla Walla sweets.”

Although growing acreage for the industry as a whole is down slightly this season, volume is on track.

“We expect higher yields and, in the end, feel we’ll have similar industrywide volumes as the previous year. Curry & Co.’s own Walla Walla crop will follow this same trend.” The harvest will begin in mid-June, and Mr. Curry said the season will conclude at the end of August.

The company is once again partnering with River Point Farms in Hermiston, OR, to promote Walla Walla sweet onions under the “Double Sweet” label.

“This year will be an interesting marketing year with a strong Vidalia market and other seasonal sweet onions available during the summer months,” Mr. Curry went on to say. “All sweet onions will need to deliver on their promise of ‘sweet’ during the entire season to encourage consumers to come back and buy more.”

Curry & Co. treats the delicate Walla Walla sweet onions with care and works with its customers to develop distinctive programs that help produce departments distinguish themselves from the competition and increase rings at the register.