Growers of Vidalia onions will be quick to tell you that nothing beats Vidalias — but when Vidalia season winds down, usually around early September, those growers will tell you that Peruvian farmers do a fine job of filling the void.
“Peruvian sweet onions play an important role in maintaining continuity in the sweet onion category,” says Steven Shuman, general manager and vice president of sales for G&R Farms, Glennville, Ga.
Peruvian sweet onions provide a natural bridge between Vidalia seasons and allow retailers to keep a consistent sweet onion program on their shelves until Vidalia onions return to the marketplace, he says.
John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms, Reidsville, Ga., agrees.
“Peruvian sweet onions create consistency at the shelf, providing a similar look and flavor to the world-famous, highly versatile Vidalia sweet onion when it is out of season,” he says. “This consistency helps to build consumer recognition and brand loyalty, driving sales year-round.”
John Shuman says Peru is one of the largest sweet onion growing regions in the world as well as one of the most consistent and reliable, “providing American retailers with premium-quality sweet onions for seven months of the calendar year.”
About 95% of onions grown in Peru are the Century variety, which closely mirrors Vidalias in appearance and flavor, adds Delbert Bland, owner and president of Glennville-based Bland Farms.
“Like Vidalias, they’re a flat onion, and if you taste them side by side, the flavor profile is nearly identical, making the quality almost indistinguishable,” he says.
Put to the Test
Besides taste and quality, Peruvian growers are also focused on food safety.
At a time when that topic has become an issue with some imported produce, importers say it’s a top priority for farmers in Peru.
Bland says there are strict food-safety regulations, product safety precautions and rules in Peru, and many growers follow standards influenced by the European Union’s stringent food safety requirements.
All Shuman Farms facilities and farms in Peru complete GlobalG.A.P. IFA audits, John Shuman says.
“This audit scheme is several layers deeper than a standard GFS audit,” he says. “Our Peruvian sweet onions are also tested for microorganisms and mean residue limits before exporting.”
Food safety is a priority throughout G&R Farms’ program, adds Steven Shuman.
“We maintain a comprehensive food safety program that includes third-party audits and certifications, including GlobalG.A.P., PrimusGFS and SQF,” he says.
The company also has an established recall and traceability program, he adds.
