Spring Onion Crop Shrinks

WASHINGTON - Sep 6/07 - SNS -- This season's end-of-season spring onion production estimate, at 10.9 million cwt (100 pound units), down 2% from last year, according to the USDA.

Harvested area, at 31,300 acres, is down 10% from a year ago, while yield, at 348 cwt per acre, is up 26 cwt per acre from 2006. The value of the spring crop is estimated at 376 million dollars, 89% more than last year.

In Texas, planting and harvesting of the spring onion crop was delayed due to excessive soil moisture. In Georgia, rainfall during the winter months was normal to slightly below normal, while rainfall during spring was well below normal. Temperatures were above normal during both winter and spring. The crop was rated good to excellent condition throughout the growing season. Harvest got underway about a week earlier than normal. Yields are reported to be the second highest on record. Despite heat and labor shortages, growers were actively irrigating the spring onion crop.

Planting of spring onions in California began in most areas by early November. Above normal temperatures stimulated crop development in some areas. Freezing temperatures in late January adversely affected yields in some areas. Arizona's spring onion crop was on schedule with favorable weather during the growing season.

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