Parma, Idaho-based J.C. Watson Packing Co. started its Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion harvest the second week of July and will continue through October.
The marketer will sell its Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions from storage through mid-May 2025, said Blake Branen, sales and marketing director for the company.
J.C. Watson Co. received its name from its founder back in 1912, when he established a produce company in southwestern Idaho, Branen said.
“For more than 90 years, we’ve produced, packed, and marketed Spanish sweet onions — by 1929, J.C. Watson was noted as a trading member in The Produce Reporter Co. listings,” he said.
Now focused strictly on onions, J.C. Watson packs onion in its own labels, including Watson Brand, Soo Brand, SooRing, Jim’s Best, Trail Blazer, Treasure Valley, and most recently, the Watson Organic Brand. J.C. Watson also packs private label packs for retailers, Branen said.
In addition to producing conventional onions, J.C. Watson offers year-round organic yellow, red, white and sweet onions.
In 2010, the company created two additional companies: J.C. Watson Packing Co. focuses on the packing, selling, and shipping of onions, while Watson Agriculture Inc. focuses on growing and producing a sound, superior onion for our customers, Branen said.
“We pack the full line-up for retail, 2-pound, 3-pound, 5-pound and 10-pound consumer bags along with carton and stickered and bulk products used in retail bins,” Branen said. “The key to successful retail promotion is the quality of onions that we grow in the Idaho-Eastern Oregon [region]. The Watson difference is we do our best to ensure highest quality available packed to the retailers spec.”
In May this year, the company broke ground on its new onion-packing and rail facility in Wilder, Idaho. The $32 million facility will enhance the company’s operational capacity and support local and regional markets with improved transportation and distribution infrastructure.
Construction on the new packing and rail facility began in late May, with expected completion in February 2025. The new 70,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to process over twice the volume of onions handled now, significantly expanding capacity and extending the local season for Idaho and Eastern Oregon onions, company officials said.
“The decision to build this new facility stems from our commitment to meet growing demand and support our growers with the best resources available,” said Emily Watson, vice president of J.C. Watson Packing Co. “We recognized the need for a modern, efficient packing solution that could handle increased volume and improve logistics. This investment not only strengthens our supply chain but also reinforces our dedication to the agricultural heritage of Idaho and the prosperity of our local communities.”
