Onion outlook: Growers share insights on Vidalia crop

Vidalia onion acreage should remain steady this year with nearly 10,000 acres in production, according to the Vidalia, Ga.-based Vidalia Onion Committee.

“The crop has faced some weather-related issues, such as Hurricane Helene, and we had between 5 and 6 inches of snowfall, which is not typical for our area,” said Chelsea Blaxton, VOC office manager. “However, growers report that the onions are improving daily, and expectations remain optimistic for an average season in terms of both yield and quality.”

In 2024, 6.5 million 40-pound boxes were collected thanks to optimal weather and exceptional yields, VOC reported. That was up from 4.3 million boxes in 2023, when the onions endured freezing temperatures and reduced acreage.

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms is ready to start shipping Vidalia onions as soon as the official pack date is announced by the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, said Sloan Lott, director of sales. (On March 26, the pack date was announced as being April 15.)

“This year's crop will be a bit smaller in size and volume due to some colder, rainy weather during the growing season,” he said. “However, it's shaping up to be a solid crop nonetheless and will be in line with a typical season.”

Growers generally ship Vidalias through Labor Day.

Lott said he expected prices to remain similar to last year.

“With a more typical crop size and steady demand, pricing should remain stable, ensuring consistency for both retailers and consumers,” he said.

Glenville-based G&R Farms will be ready to start shipping Vidalia onions in mid-April, said CEO Blake Dasher.

“The crop is progressing well, and everything is lining up for a smooth launch,” he said in mid-March. “Due to careful field management, we expect to have plenty of high-quality Vidalias ready for the market, right on time.”

The size and quality of this year's Vidalia onion crop are looking excellent, he added.

“Jumbo Vidalias remain the most popular size, and approximately 75% of our inventory is expected to fall into this category.”

Medium-sized Vidalias will be the primary focus for packaged Vidalias.

G&R was able to cope with weather challenges, including Hurricane Helene and freezing temperatures, Dasher said.

“Through strategic field management, we were able to minimize weather-related damage,” he said. “In areas affected by early-season setbacks, we took proactive measures to reseed, allowing for a successful recovery.”

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms will continue to invest in its infrastructure, marketing and sustainability efforts during 2025, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“With the expansion of our operations following the Generation Farms acquisition, we are now better positioned than ever to serve our customers with quality, consistency and reliability,” he said.

The acquisition in 2024 has given the company the ability to increase its storage, packing capacity and overall efficiency, he said.

Shuman Farms also aims to educate retailers and consumers about Vidalia onions through its Shuman Farms University initiative.

“This year we're refreshing our digital content and resources to take that to the next level,” he said.

Shoppers love Vidalia onions, but they need to know when they're in season and how to use them, Shuman said.

“That's why we're continuing to invest in digital content, recipe development and in-store signage that makes it easier for consumers to incorporate Vidalia onions into their meals,” he said.

Expanding retail promotions, secondary display, and cross-merchandising strategies also presents an opportunity to increase basket size and drive repeat purchases, Shuman added.

When it comes to packaging, many grower-shippers have seen a shift in consumer preference for bagged onions versus bulk.

In fact, Bland Farms has doubled its bagged onion production over the past five years, Lott said.

“Bland Farms is well equipped to deliver exactly what today's consumers want,” he said. “What used to be four baggers under the grader is now eight, running full throttle.”

G&R Farms offers a variety of consumer packaging options to meet the needs of both retailers and shoppers, Dasher said.

“For retailers, we provide bags, cartons and bins, offering flexibility in how Vidalia onions are displayed and sold,” he said. “For consumers, Vidalias are available in both bulk and bagged options.”

There also is a demand for organic Vidalia onions and grower-shippers are filling that consumer need.

“Consumers are increasingly conscious about their food, seeking information on sourcing and pesticide use,” Lott said. “We've always made it our goal to deliver what the customers want and keep up with that demand, so as a company we are committed to continuing to offer organics and grow our production as needed.”

The company has about 120 acres dedicated to organic Vidalia sweet onions that are packed in Bland Farms Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions bags, boxes and bins, he said.

Organic onions account for about 10% of the overall business at G&R Farms, Dasher said.

“While organic Vidalias remain a smaller segment of our total production, we are seeing steady but modest growth in this category,” he said.

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