Posts Tagged “New Mexico Onions”
The tiny town of Hatch in Southern New Mexico gets to rockin’ this time of the year with sweet onions through July, followed it famous Hatch chili peppers during and August and September.
But while Hatch chiles might steal the spotlight, another New Mexico staple quietly complements the heat: sweet, mild onions grown in the same fertile valleys. Together, these crops tell a story of local flavor, agricultural tradition and growing national appeal.
Hatch chile season might not officially begin until late July, but Melissa’s Produce says Hatch sweet onions offer retailers a flavorful head start. Available from late May through July, these sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
Grown exclusively in the Hatch Valley of southern New Mexico, Hatch chiles thrive in the area’s unique combination of high desert climate, rich volcanic soil and temperature swings between hot days and cool nights. The territory gives Hatch chiles their signature flavor: earthy, slightly smoky and ranging from mild to hot, depending on the variety.
While technically a type of New Mexican green chile, Hatch chiles are distinguished by their place of origin, and for some fans, no other chile compares.
Their short season, typically from August through September, adds to their allure, fueling a cult-like following among food lovers who count the days until fresh Hatch chiles are back in stores and farmers markets.
Hatch sweet onions are available from late May through July. These sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
It is approaching the latter part of the shipping season for New Mexico onions and from a trucking stand point just make sure your receivers know the quality of the product being loaded. About one-third of the crop is only rated as fair, while two-thirds is seen as good or excellent.
USDA reports 31 percent of the New Mexico’s onion crop is rated excellent, 35 percent rates as good, and 34 percent as fair. New Mexico produced nearly 3,600 truckloads of onions this season.
Chili pepper growers in the Hatch-area apparently are shipping a quality crop. The USDA says over 50 percent of the state’s peppers are in excellent condition.
Drought conditions he lack of Rio Grande River irrigation water has once again forced growers to pump high salinity ground water on their crops, resulting in onion yields being down in the Hatch area.
In 2011 the state’s total onion shipments was nearly 3,400 truck loads, and 2010’s total yield was 4,125 truck loads.
The largest onion hauls in New Mexico in recent years were in 2007 when shipments hit over 4,400 truck loads and in 2003 when there were 5,300 truckloads and finally in 2002 with 5,500 truck loads.
New Mexico’s chili pepper shipments the Hatch area should get underway in early August, with shipments exceeding those of a year ago.
New Mexico onions are grossing about – $3200 to Chicago.
There’s more table grapes than shippers know what to do with because loads are now coming out of Mexico, Coachella and Arvin – all at the same time. Mexican late season sugraones are peaking this week, with shippers needing to move 4.5 million boxes. Those are crossing the border at Nogales, AZ.
Meanwhile, the Arvin district near Bakersfield only started about a week ago and is now rapidly building in volume. One shipper recently stated, “You’ll see Mexico, Coachella, Arvin and Fresno County grapes all by the first week of July. It’s going to be interesting.”
By the time Coachella and Mexico have finished by mid July, the two regions will have shipped about 23 million boxes.
New Mexico Onions
New Mexico has about 20 onion growers and shippers concentrated in the southern part of the state. A little over 50% the state’s onion acreage usually originates out of Dona Ana County, while the balance is grown in Luna and Sierra counties.
All New Mexico onions grown are non-storage with most of the product being yellow onions, although there are some whites and some reds.
New Mexico has been shipping onions since late May and usually wraps up the season by late August, although a few packing sheds continue into mid-September.
There was 5,500 acres of New Mexico onions planted in 2012, down 10 % from 2011.
New Mexico onions – grossing about $3300 to Chicago.
Nogales grapes – about $5000 to Atlanta.
Coachella Valley grapes – about $8400 to New York City.