After a poor 2014/2015 fall-winter season, Peruvian sweet onions are performing well for American grower-importers this year.
“Pricing is higher this season compared to last season,” reports John Shuman of Shuman Produce. Shuman cites lower supply levels as the primary cause of the price surge, explaining that a glutted market in late 2014 led to weak prices on Peruvian sweet onions.
“Volumes are expected to be down compared to last year due to overproduction and poor pricing we saw last season. Retailers should expect lower than average volumes as we continue into the winter holidays.”
With demand stable, Shuman says that prices should stay strong through late winter, at which point his company’s RealSweet label will switch to their domestic-grown Vidalia onions. “Demand remains high, as sweet onions continue to drive the overall onion category,” Shuman says. He adds that, “Sweet onions are included in a wide variety of holiday recipes, so we anticipate that high demand will remain steady.”
Shuman also notes that his Georgia-based company, which operates its own farms in Ica, Peru, is well-positioned for the remainder of the season. “Our volume is secure this season, and we expect to have adequate availability through February.”
