The U.S. onion market is moving through its seasonal transition, with supplies shifting from California's Imperial Valley to Northern California and New Mexico. Imperial Valley shipments are expected to continue for only a short window, with some operations already complete, as the growing season there comes to a close. Northern California and New Mexico are now stepping in as the primary supply sources.
This is a routine but operationally important transition that buyers need to track. Disruptions or delays in the handoff between growing regions can create short supply windows with price spikes, particularly for yellow onion programs. While the transition itself is expected, conditions in the incoming regions — weather, crop size, quality — will determine how smoothly supplies bridge over the coming weeks.
This story arrives as a fresh supply-side update distinct from the previously covered New Mexico onion harvest initiation story. Watch for any reports of volume shortfalls or quality issues from Northern California or New Mexico as the new shipments ramp up through June.