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State-Mandated Pack Date For Ga. Vidalia Onions Arrives

April 25th, 2016

The first Monday of the last full week of April means Vidalia onions will be available in local grocery stores soon.

This is the first year the state has mandated the first date growers are allowed to ship their onions.

“The growers figured that this time frame here would allow us to get our crops, mature and well-cured,” said Bob Stafford, the executive director of the Vidalia Onion Business Council.

Delbert Bland of Bland Farms, one of the largest growers in the state, challenged the rule, saying he should be able to determine when the onions are ready.

Two years ago, a judge ruled in his favor, but last year an appeals court said the commissioner of agriculture has the power to set a packing date.

Regardless, it appears this will be a good year for Vidalia onions.

“Demand should be high because the storage onions are very low at this time, and the other parts of the country are finishing up so we are going into a really good market,” said Stafford.

Vidalia onions bring in more than $100 million to the state every year.

This year’s crop is expected to yield about five million 40-pound units.