Storage & Handling

Get Long-Lasting Onions with Our Storage & Handling Tips

Idaho-Eastern Oregon Spanish onions have a long storage life if kept under proper conditions. Our onions will retain their freshness and firm texture for up to nine months, reducing waste from spoilage.

General Tips

  • Keep onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
  • Store onions at 34° to 45° Fahrenheit (1.1° to 7° Celsius) with 65% to 70% relative humidity.
  • Keep onions out of direct sunlight.

Commercial Operations Tips

  • Use high volume fans to keep onions dry and prevent decay when storing large quantities
  • Bagged or boxed onions should be stored at least one foot away from walls and other pallets to provide good air movement.
  • Do not use plastic wrap on onions; the lack of air circulation reduces storage life.

Home Storage Tips

  • Do not store whole onions in plastic bags; the lack of air circulation reduces storage life. A basket or mesh bag provides good air circulation and works well for onion storage.
  • Do not store onions with potatoes or other produce items that release moisture.
  • Onions that are already cut can be stored for several days in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerated.
  • Chopped or diced onions can be frozen for future preparation in cooked dishes.
  • Whole onions can last up to four weeks at home under proper storage conditions.