Vidalia Sweet Produce increasing acreage on onions
Vidalia Sweet Produce increasing acreage on onions
Established in 2008, Vidalia Sweet Produce has built a strong reputation as an exceptional woman-owned farming corporation dedicated to the cultivation, packing and shipping of Vidalia sweet onions.
In addition to sweet onions, the company also specializes in watermelons and Vidalia sweet potatoes, along with yellow, red and white onions.
“We specialize in all categories of onions, to make life easier on our retailers,” said Tina Collins, CEO of the Cobbtown, GA-based company.
Certified as Woman’s Business Enterprise by the National Women’s Business Owners Council, Vidalia Sweet Produce is one of the top growers and shippers of sweet onions in the country.
The company ships onions from Peru, Mexico and Texas, enabling it to provide customers with sweet onions all year long.
“Within the last year, we have increased our acreage on reds, whites, yellows and organics,” Collins said. “We are looking forward to expanding our markets.”
Vidalia Sweet Produce offers its customers a full range of Vidalia onion package sizes, including consumer friendly two-, three-, four-, five- and 10-pound bags.
“We provide very high quality, on-time deliveries, traceability and all the other requirements that each retailer requires,” Collins said.
The outlook for this year’s crop is not perfect, but things are better than some in the industry believe.
“Considering all the weather issues we have had this year from the hurricane, snowstorm, sudden ups and downs in temperatures and excessive rain, the crop as a whole industry looks a little less than the 2024 bumper crop we all had, but even with all the ups and downs, the quality looks great,” Collins said.
A big part of the company’s success has been its commitment to retail customers over the years.
“It’s important to say what you mean and mean what you say,” Collins said. “Your word is your bond. In all my years of experience, telling the truth means everything and makes life easier.”
She sees plenty of inroads in expanding business in the year ahead and the company has a savvy growth strategy.
“When our current retailers build or add new stores, we increase in volume and sales,” Collins said. “Adding all colors has increased our sales too.”
For retailers looking to improve sales, Collins recommends building larger displays of Vidalia Onions and running more feature ads to garner interest and bring customers to the store with onions on their minds.
“Overall, Vidalia Sweet Produce is growing in many ways,” Collins said. “We are now offering all main colors and varieties of sweet onions. We have abundant supply available to be able to service new retailers. With all the many things, We give God all the glory. Without him, we would not be the farming operation we are today. We want to thank all our retailers for the loyalty and support all the years and look forward to another year.”
