Walla Walla Onions Sweeter, But Fewer

Walla Walla’s well-known onions will be extra sweet this year, but growers say their crops will be light.

Sweet Onion Marketing Committee President Bryon Magnaghi predicted the harvest, which began last week, will be about 25 percent below normal levels.

About 850 acres of Walla Walla Sweet Onions were planted last fall, but 100 acres along Mill Creek were lost in the February floods, while another 100 acres simply failed to produce, said Mary Clayton, manager of the marketing committee. Growers average 20 tons - or 800 50-pound sacks - per acre.

But the onions that do go to market will be particularly succulent, grower Randy Hamada said, standing at the edge of his field near Lowden.

“We like to think the quality is there every year. But these … these are nice-looking onions,” he said.

The combination of good quality and short supply should keep prices at a consistently high level throughout the season, Clayton said. So far, Walla Walla Sweets are wholesaling for between $14 and $18 for 50-pound sacks. That’s $3 or $4 higher than last year. , DataTimes