The central California summer onion deal is hoping to rebound to its 2005 form after a dropoff in volume in 2006. There were 10,200 acres of onions harvested in the central California onion deal in 2006, which yielded a harvest of slightly more than 9.01 million fiftyweight bags. In 2005, there were only 8,700 acres planted with slightly more than 9.5 million fiftyweight bags harvested. The lower volume on greater acreage in 2006 largely was the result of extreme heat -- around 17 days of over 100-degree heat -- in late June and early July, said Wayne Mininger, executive vice president of the National Onion Association.

"With the contact I've had, [central California onion growers are] quite pleased with the crop," Mr. Mininger said. "With the cold winter weather, a few fields of onions froze out. There were some effects on some varieties. There may be some production dips related to the cold, but in general, it's a favorable crop."

The central California summer onion deal is focused on fresh onions; other areas of the country have stronger storage crops. Onions are grown in more than 20 states, literally border to border and coast to coast, and the leading U.S. onion production areas are Idaho-eastern Oregon, Washington and California.

During the summer season, California's San Joaquin Valley and New Mexico account for a good portion of the nation's supply of fresh onions, Mr. Mininger said.

Central California onion growers use "the latest and greatest" in technology in production, harvesting and marketing, Mr. Mininger said. The area's onion growers typically achieve yields that are among the highest in the nation. As varieties have evolved, central California growers are in the thick of the latest work in plant nutrient technology, irrigation technology and protecting the crop from weeds and pests.

Growers in the central California onion deal have been part of the trend to offer sweet varieties. "Sweet varieties are an active, substantial part of the retail mix," Mr. Mininger said. "Producers are responding to retailers. Consumers' expectation is to want a mild onion."

Because onion harvesting requires hand labor, part of the day-to-day worries for onion operations are concerns over the availability of dependable workers in the fields, Mr. Mininger said. For reasons such as immigration issues, the prospect of having an ample supply of capable field laborers is becoming more difficult all the time, he said.

"In this day and age, it's not just the crop in the ground" with which growers have to be concerned, Mr. Mininger said. Today growers have to be cognizant of much more going on around them, he said.

The National Onion Association does not have a marketing arm per se, but it does sponsor two educational conventions, maintains promotional and educational components, and compiles statistics. The association lobbies for the U.S. onion industry on the federal level. The association is a voice on the international level, but it does not get involved in trade disputes such as tariff issues and phytochemical issues.

Unlike other commodity groups, the NOA does not have a mandatory assessment on production volume. It has chosen to encourage voluntary contributions from its members. Donations of $0.01 per hundredweight are forwarded by cooperating shippers, bag companies or through direct member payment to the NOA promotional fund.

NOA promotional efforts focus on two main goals: increasing onion usage and consumption in both consumer and foodservice markets nationwide, and achieving the largest impact for the least amount of money. Funds received determine the number and caliber of projects completed each year.

(For more on the central California onion deal, see the June 18 issue of The Produce News.)