“Most areas in the world have an excess of supplies relative to demand,” explains Stuart Follen of SL Follen Company. “This is creating over supply situations in many parts of the world, including the United States. To have all major production areas experiencing high yield and good quality at the same time is quite unusual. However, when this happens it results in low prices. This is the situation we are seeing now.”
Using drip irrigation to grow onions has lead to a significant increase in the volume of onions grown in Idaho and Oregon. “Onions grown under drip irrigation can see a 30% yield increase over those grown with a “non-drip” irrigation system,” declares Follen, “Idaho and Oregon may be approaching 50% of all onion crops being cultivated using drip irrigation. The affect is significant.”
Idaho and Oregon onions are traditionally exported to Canada and Mexico. Some volume is also dedicated to off shore markets like Asia. “This season, Asian export markets are slow due to the large amount of crop availability and the strong value of the US dollar,” explains Follen.
For more information please contact:
Stuart Follen
SL Follen Company
Tel: 503.222.6164
Fax: 503.222.5839
follen@slfollen.com
www.slfollen.com