The 2024-25 onion harvest season has wrapped up with positive news from major growing regions, including Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Nevada. Growers and agricultural experts are enthusiastic about both the quality and quantity of the onion crop, which should be more than sufficient to meet market demands through the holidays and into next year. This optimism is fueled by favorable growing conditions, efficient harvesting processes, and effective marketing strategies.
Key Insights from Leading Growers
- Idaho-Eastern Oregon Region: This region, a critical supplier of yellow, red, and white onions, has successfully completed its harvest. According to Candi Fitch, executive director of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, the crop is “completely manageable” with consistent supply and high quality across all varieties. Fitch highlighted the region’s Marketing Order, which helps ensure reliable size and color uniformity, benefiting both distributors and consumers.
- Peri & Sons Farms, Nevada: In Yerington, Peri & Sons Farms Inc. concluded its onion harvest in late October. Teri Gibson, the company’s director of marketing and customer relations, expressed confidence in the crop’s quality and sizing. The farm produces a wide range of onions, including red, yellow, white, and specialty varieties like Sweetie and Sweetie Tearless. These unique onions cater to diverse consumer preferences, offering sweet and tearless options with low acid content.
- Wada Farms Marketing Group, Idaho: Wada Farms wrapped up harvesting in mid-October, with marketing director Eric Beck affirming that this year’s crop is robust, with no anticipated supply issues. Wada Farms manages its storage crop from July to April or May, after which it sources onions from states like California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The projected volume is consistent with last year’s numbers, ensuring a steady market presence.
- Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls: Coleman Oswald, director of sales, echoed the positive sentiment, noting excellent yields and slightly larger onion sizes this year. “We’ve got really good quality and really good yields, really good supplies for this season,” Oswald said. The company primarily sells bulk onions in 25- and 50-pound bags and boxes, but it also offers consumer-friendly pack options.
- Wilcox Fresh, Rexburg: Specializing in Spanish sweet onions, Wilcox Fresh grows its primary crops in western Idaho and eastern Oregon. Derek Peterson, vice president of sales and operations, remarked that the warm season had contributed to outstanding onion quality and volume. The company’s program spans from August to April, supplemented by summer onions sourced from Southern California and New Mexico.
Market Outlook and Stability
The consistent reports of high-quality onions and reliable volumes are excellent news for both retailers and consumers. This year’s harvest, marked by slightly larger bulb sizes, is advantageous for culinary use, providing a robust supply for bulk and consumer packaging markets. Additionally, many companies, like Wada Farms and Wilcox Fresh, have established year-round supply chains by sourcing onions from multiple regions, ensuring market stability.
The 2024-25 onion harvest is shaping up to be a strong season, with growers across key regions reporting ample supply, excellent quality, and effective distribution plans. The warm growing season has played a significant role in the favorable outcome, promising a well-stocked market and consistent prices for consumers. As we approach the holiday season, onions of various types and sizes will be readily available, supporting both large-scale foodservice operations and home cooks.
