Why Idaho and Oregon are onion superstars

In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.

hands holding onions
In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.
(Photo: Pixel-Shot, Adobe Stock)

Idaho and Oregon are unrivaled onion powerhouses among U.S. onion-producing regions.

In 2023, Idaho domestic truck shipments totaled 575.2 million pounds, with export truck shipments from the state accounting for 24.4 million pounds. Oregon wasn’t far behind, with the state accounting for 385.8 million pounds of domestic truck shipments and 44.3 million pounds of export truck shipments.

Idaho’s combined domestic and export truck shipments of onions totaled more than 599 million pounds in 2023, up 16% from 515.9 million pounds in 2022. Oregon’s combined domestic and export shipments topped 429 million pounds in 2023, up 8% from 398 million pounds in 2022.

Idaho and Oregon shippers moved onions every month of 2023, with peak supply from September through April.

In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.

Together the states accounted for about 1 in 4 domestic onions shipped in 2023.

The USDA reported the average per carton price for Idaho-Malheur County for onions in 2023-24:

  • Sept. 2, 2023 — $11.25.
  • Oct. 7, 2023 — $10.88.
  • Nov. 4, 2023 — $10.
  • Dec. 2, 2023 — $12.16.
  • Jan. 6, 2024 — $20.19.
  • Feb. 3, 2024 — $18.42.
  • March 2, 2024 — $19.17.
  • April 6, 2024 — $19.75.
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