Vidalia Onions—Sweet Onion Production in Southeastern Georgia

Abstract

Southeastern Georgia is ideal for sweet onion (Allium cepa) pro duction. This region is noted for its mild winters, low sulfur soils, and abundant water supply. Vidalia onions with their national reputation for mildness have dramatically increased in availability in the last 10 to 12 years. Several factors have contributed to this increase including; national name recognition, regulatory control of the Vidalia name, ideal region of production, Marketing Order 955 (USDA, 1989), and the adoption of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. These factors have resulted in a 3-fold increase in production since 1989 (USDA, 2001). The growth of the Vidalia onion industry has not been without challenge or controversy. Wide fluctuations in performance from one year to the next have caused CA storage not to be as consistent as expected for extending onion shelf life. In addition, some growers have expressed concern over some new varieties being too hot to be called Vidalia onions. Other varieties have increased problems with late season diseases. Vidalia onions, however, remain one of the bright spots in American agriculture by providing good returns for the producers. Although somewhat uncertain, the Vidalia onion’s future remains promising. For the industry to continue to prosper issues concerning, increased competition, production problems including variety selection, and use of CA storage have to be addressed. Vidalia onions are also referred to as yellow onions, salad onions, green onions, and dry bulb onions. In order to be a Vidalia onion they must be a yellow Granex type. Salad and green onions refers to immature onions. They are comparable to scallions, however they tend to be longer in total length with larger leaves and an expanded bulb, about 1 inch (2.5 cm). The objective of this article is to highlight the Vidalia onion industry, and to describe its past, present and future with respect to production practices, issues of concern, and marketing.