By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s Vidalia onion industry is currently strong for the state’s farmers. For one farming operation, it just shipped what remained of last year’s crop.
That explains why Steven Shuman, GM/VP of sales at G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, was all smiles when he discussed the state of the industry at last week’s Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta.
“We just shipped our last few Vidalias last week. For us to be up here at the show and just ending up, that’s an odd situation for us. We’ve actually already planted our crop seedbeds for our next year. For those two, to end one season and start another, for those to overlap is very uncommon,” Shuman said. “Everybody’s very happy.”
G&R Farms produces 700 acres and contracts another 700 with other producers.
“This year was one of the largest Vidalia onion crops we ever have. We had a great season weather wise, and it turned out to be great volume. We went longer than we ever have before, just recently, actually finishing up our season,” Shuman said. “It’s very odd to have Vidalias all the way into the month of October. I think the industry is very strong. We don’t look for anything to change as far as any downward motion. I think things will continue to progress, and the Vidalia onion industry will stay strong.”
Shuman and fellow Vidalia onion farmers weathered Hurricane Helene when it moved through the state in late September. Some seedbeds were already established and susceptible to Helene’s high winds and excessive rains.
“As far as crop wise, we did have some of our earliest stuff planted on our seedbeds. It was already high enough where we got some wind damage to them. I don’t think that’s going to be a great extent to hurt us overall in the long run,” Shuman said. “We did do some re-planting. Overall, I think the crop is still going to be fine this year.”