Argentina (Mendoza): San Rafael aims to increase onion cultivation

In recent years, Mendoza has managed to position itself in the onion market, with approximately 3,500 hectares of different varieties cultivated, according to the latest data from the Statistics Department.

At the national level, Buenos Aires (South Zone) and the Rio Negro Valley are the largest producing regions, followed by Mendoza, San Juan and Santiago del Estero.

In terms of province, the main producer is Maipú with approximately 1,200 hectares, followed by Lavalle with approximately 750 and San Martín with 416. Further behind are San Carlos with 290 and San Rafael with 230, thus rounding out the top five producers in Mendoza.

In Mendoza, the tendency is to plant short-cycle varieties such as Torrentina and Valencianita in the northern part of the province, and long-cycle varieties such as Valencianas. To supply the dehydration industry, the Southport White Globe cultivar is grown.

In addition to these varieties, sweet onions, highly sought-after in the northern hemisphere (especially the United States and Spain), have been introduced in recent years. Approximately 60 hectares are registered, distributed between Lavalle, Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley, and San Rafael.

Within this framework, INTA Rama Caída launched a "technical workshop on onions" in San Rafael, where an update on the crop will be provided, covering new varieties, major diseases, and the results of recent trials.

The meeting, led by Héctor Fulgina, Daniel Nahuel, and Pablo Caligiore, will take place next Tuesday, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. at the Extension Agency located at 210 Maza Street in Ciudad-.

"This is an ideal opportunity for producers, technicians, and students," the Institute emphasized.