New Mexico is onion central in June and July.
Last year, the USDA reported that New Mexico accounted for 46% of domestic-grown onion truck shipments in June, 51% in July and 21% in August.
Average monthly per-carton shipping point prices for New Mexico onions during 2023 were $17.29 in June, $16.21 in July and $15.28 in August. Those price points were down slightly from 2022, when average per-carton prices for New Mexico onions were $17.78 in June, $20.23 in July, and $20.31 in August.
According to New Mexico State University, the state typically grows 7,000 to 8,000 acres of onions, producing 160,000 to 180,000 tons at a value of $40 million to $55 million. According to university specialists, the per-acre yield averages 920 50-pound sacks per acre.
Growers in New Mexico harvest onions from May 20 to Sept. 15, according to the New Mexico State University onion website.
University onion specialists say New Mexico grows three separate onion crops: fall-seeded, transplanted and spring-seeded.
The fall-seeded crop is planted from Sept.15 to Oct. 15 and harvested May 15 to June 20.
The transplanted crop is seeded from Oct. 1-20 in southern New Mexico and from Nov. 15-30 in Arizona or South Texas. Transplants are placed from Feb,1 to March 1 and harvested from June 20 to July 10.
The spring-seeded crop is planted from Jan. 15 to March 1 and harvested from July 5 to Aug. 15, according to university specialists.
In 2023, the USDA reported that truck shipments of New Mexico onions totaled 9.5 million 40-pound cartons, up from 8.165 million 40-pound carton equivalents in 2022.
