U.S. imports of Peruvian onions got off to a slow start this season, but quality is good and total production is expected to exceed those of a year ago.
Sweet Onion Trading of Melbourne, FL reports the onion crop is a little late due to colder than normal weather during the growing season. Still, good quality onions are being reported from all production regions.”
As of August 30th, imports of Peruvian sweet onions were down 215 containers from the previous season at the same time. It is the lowest shipments since 2014.
Keystone Fruit Marketing of Greencastle, PA notes U.S. imported Peruvian sweet onions are down 28 percent, but are expected to catch up with last season’s imports in time for Thanksgiving. Keystone Fruit Marketing’s initial imported onions from Peru arrived the first week of September. The company experience light volume in September and early October because of cooler temperatures during the growing season.
G&R Farms of Glennville, GA has reports its Peruvian sweet onion harvest starts in July, with retailers receiving their first product in mid-August. As with Sweet Onion Trading and Keystone Fruit Marketing, G&R Farms believes the slow start will see a rebound as the season progresses. The harvest lasts into late March or early April.
At Shuman Produce of Reidsville, GA, the operation imported more than 1,000 containers of Peruvian onions last season, marketed under the RealSweet brand.
With rising demand in the U.S. for sweet onions, the company plans to increase volumes this season.
Shuman Produce, which is one of the largest Vidalia sweet onion shippers, reported that season went very well. It has experienced a very smooth transition from its Vidalia sweet onion season to Peruvian sweet onions.