U.S. onion shipments are expected to be down significantly in the coming months as weather issues and global supplies are less. The situation is seen as continuing through June.
April onion shipments are off 30 percent from the same time last season. As of April 1st, there were 6 million 50-pound units of onions, an astounding 61 percent plunge from March 1st shipments.
The National Onion Association of Greely, CO report fewer onion exports from Europe, combined with less supplies from Mexico and Canada, plus fewer acres planted and increased demand in the United States are resulting in tighter supplies.
“Our nation’s growers will be working around the clock to continue to meet consumer demand. This could take another few months to balance out,” the NOA said in a press release
Nearly 75 percent of onions imported into the U.S. are from Mexico, but weather this season has decreased production, particularly of white onions. The U.S. had imported 2.94 million 40-pound units of dry/storage onions from Mexico in early April, compared to 5.9 million 40-pound units at the same time last year.
Domestic shipments of spring and summer crop onions is expected to be lower, as well, according to the onion association. The spring crop in California is down 25 to 30 percent in acreage, and Texas sweet onions not only have a drop in planted acreage, but wet weather has slowed the harvest.
Georgia’s Vidalia crop is down about 20 percent as well. The official Vidalia official shipping date was April 22nd.