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Looking ahead to this year’s Vidalia onion season

By
Keith Loria

The Vidalia onion category experienced a strong season in 2024, with increased consumer demand and retail promotions helping to drive sales.

“We saw a rise in shopper engagement with our educational initiatives and an increased interest in using Vidalia onions in fresh summer recipes, grilling and meal prep,” said John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms, one of the major players in the Vidalia onion segment. “Weather and market fluctuations always play a role in the season’s performance, so it’s critical that we remain adaptable and forward-thinking in our approach.”

sdfSo far, the 2025 crop is looking promising with growers experiencing favorable growing conditions, which has caused plenty of optimism for another great year.

“We are optimistic that we’ll have a consistent supply of high-quality Vidalia onions for the season,” Shuman said. “Last year’s crop yielded good sizing and excellent flavor, and we’re expecting similar results this season.”

Tina Collins, CEO of the Cobbtown, GA-based Vidalia Sweet Produce, said weather issues may cause the crop to be a little less than ideal, but all hope is that it will be similar to what last year’s crop offered.

The biggest opportunity for retailers in improving sales of Vidalia onions lies in consumer education and in-store execution. After all, shoppers love Vidalia onions, but they need to know when they’re in season and how to use them.

“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,” Shuman said. “Expanding retail promotions, secondary displays, and cross-merchandising strategies also presents a huge opportunity to increase basket size and drive repeat purchases.”

Success in the Vidalia onion category comes down to quality, consistency and innovation, and the relationship between the growers and retailers must be strong to achieve a profitable situation for all involved.

“Retailers expect on-time delivery, premium product and reliable partnerships — and that’s exactly what we work to deliver every season,” Shuman said.

Collins noted retailers can maximize Vidalia onion sales by creating eye-catching displays, using clear signage and cross-promoting with complementary items like grilling products, salad ingredients and fresh meal solutions.

“Positioning Vidalia onions in multiple locations throughout the store — such as near the meat department during grilling season — can also help drive incremental sales,” she said.

Shuman encourages retailers to train their produce teams to confidently talk about Vidalia onions with shoppers. In fact, the company developed Shuman Farms University, which provides educational resources to help retail teams better understand and sell Vidalia onions.

So, as the 2025 Vidalia onion season approaches, the industry remains optimistic, fueled by a combination of favorable growing conditions, innovative marketing strategies and a strong focus on consumer education.

Ultimately, the success of the Vidalia onion category will hinge on the ability to adapt to market fluctuations while maintaining the high standards of excellence that consumers have come to expect.

Keith Loria

Keith Loria

About Keith Loria  |  email

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based award-winning journalist who has been writing for major publications for close to 20 years on topics as diverse as real estate, food and sports. He started his career with the Associated Press and has held high editorial positions at magazines aimed at healthcare, sports and technology. When not busy writing, he can be found enjoying time with his wife, Patricia, and two daughters, Jordan and Cassidy.

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