Bejo is launching Yakama, its first yellow, single-centred onion

The seed company is also incorporating Revolution (BGS 374), which they define as “out of the ordinary” in yield, flavour, skin quality and hardiness

This year the onion crop has less surface area, perhaps 12% less than in 2022, when it had already dropped by 15%. In the Valle del Guadalquivir, in Andalusia, some producers have reduced the surface area by up to 50% owing to the drought. “Since October, it has been very difficult to irrigate the crops. Those who do not have a well have seen how their farms dried out,” complains Pedro María Jurado, an Onion Technician at Bejo.

The warehouse onion campaign has been shorter than normal and it has meant a lower amount of stored onions on both European and worldwide levels. In this situation, farmers have been able to better defend the very high prices. In his 33 years working with onions, Pedro María Jurado “has never seen these prices. They have ranged from 0.35 to 1.10 €/kg.” However, the celebrations must be put on hold, as the net profit has been offset by the increase in the prices of inputs.

Another positive point for the Spanish national sector is that “there has been no competition for Spanish onions.” Sources such as Holland, France or Germany have not represented any competition this campaign, due to the sharp drop in productions in

Western Europe, caused by the drought and high temperatures they have had to bear.

New developments from Bejo

Bejo’s yellow onion portfolio is extending with an important new development: Yakama, its first variety with a single centre. It is aimed at harvests in August and September and its high dry material content, good format and adaptation to mechanical peeling stand out. The latter is a characteristic that is highly valued by onion processing companies, mainly from the frozen food industry.

For April and May harvests, Bejo is extending its market share with Makalu, a renowned variety, one of the best in the world in its segment, which has certified the best conservation on the market for the entire Iberian peninsula; and in an introductory phase it has Naranco (BGS 367), the earliest onion in its catalogue, for harvests starting on the 20th of April.

For mid-May harvests the company has Itaparica, and this will be preceded by an even earlier variety in an experimental phase, BGS 370, for the first week in May.

Another of this year’s new developments is Revolution (BGS 374), which they define as “the most rustic variety for May.” With high resistance to sprouting, it is “out of the ordinary in yield, flavour, skin quality and crop hardiness.”

Other from Bejo are Música (Líria type) for harvesting from the 15th of June onwards, rustic, highly productive and with a very good flavour, and globe-shaped; the early yellow onion Almagro (early Recas), later than Música, for the end of June and the first fortnight in July; and Stingray, late, for medium storage. They also have Legend for storage, “one of the best in the world in its segment,” Citation, and Pantano, which is later and with longer storage.

Red onions

In red onions, Red Angel continues to sell very well, with medium conservation, ideal for farmers and sales representatives due to its good colour, format and single centre.

Bejo will talk about single centre and other subjects such as the causes of internal damage in onions and its prevention, at a technical seminar at the end of June in Cordoba.