By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
The onion season appears to be on track for a traditional start after last year’s early kickoff.
Experts are predicting a mid- to late March start after standard winter weather consisting of cold and rain. Last year’s early-March start was attributed to mild winter conditions.
“For our producers and for the area in whole, it looks like we’ll have a slightly later start to volume than normal,” David DeBerry, president of McAllen-based Southwest Onion Growers LLC, said. “Maybe a week or 10 days later. The onion acreage all across the area looks to be very healthy as of early February.”
Rain during the planting period somewhat delayed the season, according to Don Ed Holmes, owner of The Onion House based in Weslaco.
“It’s just not been good onion-growing weather,” Holmes said in mid-February. “We’ve had a cold winter with very few warm, sunny days.”
President of Edinburg-based J&D Produce Jimmy Bassetti noted the more traditional winter weather could result in a great crop.
“Quality at this juncture is very good,” Bassetti said. “If quality maintains through harvest, we should see a good market. Acreage looks the same in comparison to last season.”
The late start could result in a longer onion season—at least that’s the hope of some growers.
“It sure is shaping up like a deal where we will start, on average, a little later and stretch the season out a little later,” DeBerry said. “That should make for a smoother marketing plan. Time will tell.”
Overall, Texas onion acreage should be normal compared to previous years, according to Dante Galeazzi, president of the Texas International Produce Association in Mission. The roughly 7,000 acres in the Lone Star State should see various season lengths, with onion crops in the Rio Grande Valley running into late May or early June; July in the Winter Garden; and early September in some parts of West Texas.