Overall, onion quality appears solid, said Stephanie Walker, Cooperative Extension Service vegetable specialist at New Mexico State University. There hasn't been much problem with disease or pests. And weather has been good.
The last week of May tends to mark the start of the onion harvest, Walker said. Luna County and Doña Ana County are the state's main growing areas.
New Mexico produced about 306 million pounds of onions in 2014, valuing $57.2 million in direct sales, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Both the amount and the production value were up from 2013, though both figures tend to fluctuate — sometimes significantly — from year to year.
Upward market
Farmers said the onion market didn't look good earlier in the year. But problems with the onion crop in other states, such as Georgia and Texas, have boosted it.
Franzoy said prices for yellow onions are selling for about $15 "and climbing" for 50 pounds. And for red onions, it's about $30 for 50 pounds. About a year ago, New Mexico growers were receiving about $8 to $9 a 50-pound bag for yellow onions.
