Argentina launches Tinta INTA red onion with mild flavour, 48-ton yield
For investors, Tinta INTA offers a high-quality alternative in Argentina’s established onion sector.
ARGENTINA – Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology has officially introduced Tinta INTA, a novel red onion variety developed over 14 years of breeding at INTA La Consulta in Mendoza.
The cultivar, characterized by its flat-spherical shape, vibrant purple-red exterior, and red rings inside, is well-suited for fresh consumption due to its mild flavour and low pungency.
Claudio Galmarini, breeder and researcher at INTA La Consulta, described Tinta INTA as having bulbs measuring 7 to 12 centimetres in diameter, with two to three purple-red protective cataphylls.
In addition, its organoleptic qualities include a soluble solids content of 9.6%, making it an excellent choice for fresh-eating applications.
The breeding process began in 2000 with the introduction of red-bulb seeds from local, national, and international sources, followed by multiple cycles of self-fertilization and recombination.
Héctor Fuligna, a breeder and INTA specialist, outlined the agronomic parameters: “The suggested sowing dates for the province of Mendoza are in August for direct sowing or during the first two weeks of September if transplanted.” Harvest typically occurs in January, with an average yield of 48 tonnes per hectare.
For investors, Tinta INTA offers a high-quality alternative in Argentina’s established onion sector. Argentina produces approximately 700,000 tonnes of onions annually, and INTA-developed cultivars already account for about 60% of the onion-growing area.
As a result, the launch of Tinta INTA expands growers’ technological options, providing a competitive, high-quality alternative registered in the National Register of Cultivars.
Additionally, the variety’s commercial value lies in its dual appeal: vibrant colouration for visual differentiation in retail settings and a mild flavour for consumers seeking less pungent options.
Galmarini expressed hope that the launch would strengthen technological options for onion growers. “We hope the launch of this new variety, which has already been registered in the National Register of Cultivars, will strengthen the technological options for onion growers, offering a competitive and high-quality alternative,” he said.
For importers, Tinta INTA offers supply-chain advantages. For instance, its January harvest window complements Northern Hemisphere production schedules, providing fresh red onions in winter when local supplies are limited. The variety’s mild flavour also appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking vegetables with strong nutritional profiles but a less aggressive taste.
As Argentina diversifies its export offerings, Tinta INTA positions the country to capture value in premium fresh-onion segments, competing on quality rather than volume alone.
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