Favorable growing conditions this season should result in good-quality onions out of Washington and Oregon, grower-shippers say.
In 2024, Washington, the nation's top onion producer, grew about 21 million cwt of onions, up from about 20 million cwt in 2023, according to USDA. Oregon produced 14,189,000 cwt of onions, up from 13,747,000 in 2023.
Eagle Eye Produce
Onion acreage is up slightly this year for Iona, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce thanks to the acquisition of the Baker and Murakami warehouse in Ontario, Ore., says Joe Ange, Eagle Eye Produce's director of onion sales.
“We have more supply than ever and are better equipped to support our customers,” Ange says.
The company is set to start harvesting its eastern Oregon crop in late July, which is slightly earlier than usual, and will continue through September.
Eagle Eye Produce ships out of storage through April from facilities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
“After that, we transition to fresh-field onions from California, New Mexico and Texas,” says Ange, who adds that growing conditions have been “close to ideal.”
“The weather has been warm without excessive heat, and cool nights have created excellent conditions for onion growth,” he says. As a result, the company expects strong quality.
“The onion plants are healthy, and sizing is progressing well,” Ange adds.
Eagle Eye Produce offers a complete line of red, yellow and white onions to meet the needs of retail, foodservice and export customers, he says.
Onions 52
Syracuse, Utah-based Onions 52, which has growing and packing operations in Washington, Oregon and other locations, specializes in yellow, red, white, organic, tearless and sweet onions, says Tiffany Cruickshank, sales representative.
“In the Pacific Northwest, our harvest will begin late July and go through mid-October,” she says. “In Oregon, we will likely begin later in August and finish in the same time frame.”
The company has onions available 52 weeks a year.
“Our robust, year-round program ensures consistent supply, quality and service no matter the season,” she says.
So far, quality looks excellent this season, Cruickshank says.
“We're optimistic that favorable weather and growing conditions will hold steady for a strong finish and successful harvest,” she adds.
Onion 52's volume should be similar to last year.
F.C. Bloxom Co.
Seattle-based F.C. Bloxom Co. began its onion harvest the week of July 13, about five days earlier than usual as a result of a good growing season, says salesman Steve Brennan.
“There weren't too many days over 100 degrees,” he adds.
Harvest will continue until the end of September.
F.C. Bloxom grows red, yellow, white and sweet onions and shallots, Brennan says. Yellow onions are shipped year round.
“Quality yields and size should all be good this year,” he says. “It will be a strong jumbo profile.”
The company's volume should be about the same as last year.
Castoldi's
Castoldi's family farm in Walla Walla, Wash., celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, says Nathan Castoldi, a fourth-generation owner and operator of the company.
Castoldi's grows Candy Winter Sweets, Walla Walla sweet onions and red onions.
Harvest started June 9 for Walla Walla sweets and will continue until the end of July. Candy Winter Sweets will be harvested until the end of September.
Growing conditions were good, with no freezes and pretty fair weather, Castoldi says. Volume and acreage will be the same as last year.
Countryside Acres
Walla Walla-based Countryside Acres LLC started its harvest of yellow Walla Walla sweet onions the second week of June, says Tim Knowles, vice president.
“Weather was pretty good,” he says. “We had a good amount of rain — not too much, not too little.”
The harvest finished the first week of July; the company will offer Walla Walla sweet onions until the first week of August.
Quality is good this season, and though acreage was the same as last year, yields were higher, he says.
A Look at Exports
A number of Washington and Oregon grower-shippers say exports play a significant role in their sales programs.
About 15% of the onions at F.C. Bloxom are exported, Brennan says. Puerto Rico, Singapore, Malaysia, Guam, New Zealand and some Pacific Rim countries are the company's main export destinations.
Export volume can depend on how crops shape up in other countries, like Holland, Spain and China, he says, because freight rates typically are lower from those growing regions.
Eagle Eye Produce exports onions to foodservice and retail customers in Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Honduras, Guatemala and other international markets, Ange says.
“Export volume can vary year to year, particularly with Mexico and overseas shipments, which are more dependent on local crop conditions,” he says.
Onions 52 exports primarily to Canada and Mexico, Cruickshank says.
Tariffs can influence export dynamics, especially in terms of pricing competitiveness and overall demand in key international markets, she says.
“We continue to monitor trade policies closely and adjust as needed to remain flexible and responsive to market shifts,” she says. “Our primary focus remains on delivering quality onions and maintaining strong relationships both domestically
and abroad.”
