Disastrous Vidalia onion crop could lead to $50 million loss

Posted 4:01PM on Tuesday 28th May 2002 ( 23 years ago )

ALBANY - Temperature extremes and a fast-spreading fungal disease have killed about 60 percent of this year's famously sweet Vidalia onions, an unprecedented loss that could cost farmers up to $50 million. Growers in southeastern Georgia have asked for federal disaster assistance for what they are calling their worst crop ever. Kelly Folsom of Glennville harvested only 26 of his 94 acres. He said, ``My future is going to depend on this disaster assistance. I hate to be in a position where I'm dependent on disaster relief, but that's what it's come down to. You can't destroy that much of a high-value crop and just overcome it.'' Some growers had near normal crops, while others lost entire fields. Growers say consumers will still be able to find high-quality Vidalias, but fewer of them are available. Prices haven't increased much yet, although millions of bad onions were either plowed under or eliminated at packing sheds. Vidalia onions became popular in the late 1980s thanks to a marketing campaign that said you could ``eat 'em like an apple.'' Growers claim the low-sulfur soil and mild climate in the 20-county southeastern Georgia growing area make them one of the world's sweetest onions. Vidalias represent about ten percent of the U.S. onion market and are one of the state's most valuable crops, worth about $80 million a year. The county extension coordinator for Tattnall County, Reid Torrance, said about 60 percent of the crop has been lost. Torrance said, ``It is truly disastrous. We have never in the history of this industry faced losses of this magnitude.'' State Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin says the losses could force some farmers out of business. Governor Barnes sent a letter to the U.S. Agriculture Department earlier this month, requesting a disaster declaration.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/194181