Delbert Bland, the founder of Bland Farms in Glennville, Ga., said his family’s business has been exporting Peruvian sweet onions for 28 years — and this year is shaping up to be a good season with a good-sized crop and quality.
Except there’s a catch.
The Vidalia sweet onion season is running a few weeks longer than normal. Because of this, he said, Bland Farms has slowed shipments of its Peru premium sweet onions.
“We prefer to ship the Vidalias as long as they’re available and the quality is good, which it is,” Bland said. “Fortunately, we have been able to sell most of the sweets we have available out of Peru to Spain and Chile.”
It’s the same case for Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms. President and CEO John Shuman said he expects his family’s farm to start shipping sweet onions from Peru in mid-September.
“We enjoyed a robust Vidalia season this year, setting a strong foundation for a smooth transition to our Peruvian program, maintaining quality and supply chain efficiency,” he said.
Steven Shuman, general manager and vice president of sales for Glennville, Ga.-based G&R Farms, recently returned from Peru, where he met with the farm’s production team. He said harvest is underway south of the equator and looks good. He also said it will be an easy transition from Vidalia onions in the U.S. to Peruvian imports.
Why Peru?
Bland said growing conditions in Peru make for a good crop year in and year out.
“It’s very dry, and onions like it dry,” he said. “Unlike Georgia where we battle rain, we can control how much water our crops get in Peru. It’s easier to use drip irrigation and put the water that they need in them — to spoon feed them — than it is to combat the excessive rain that gets to the tops of the onions in Georgia.”
G&R Farms, which has exported onions from Peru for 15 years, sources its onions from the Ica and Arequipa regions in Peru. Steven Shuman said the region’s sandy soils and low humidity create the ideal conditions for sweet onions.
“The mild climate in these areas allows the onions to develop robustly, ensuring that each harvest brings a crop rich in flavor,” he said.
Trends
Sweet onion importers say Peruvian onions continue to gain traction in the U.S. thanks to the gap following the Vidalia onion season. Steven Shuman said the consistency and ease of shift from Vidalia season to Peruvian sweet onions keep customers coming back for more.
“They fill the seasonal gap when Vidalia onions are out of season,” he said. “These onions are prized for their quality, sweetness and ability to provide a consistent supply from September through March. Retailers appreciate the smooth transition from Vidalia to Peruvian onions, as they offer a similar taste and appearance, making them appealing to consumers who prefer sweet onions year-round.”
Bland said while the conventional Vidalia season may extend a little longer, organic Vidalia season is over.
“We were able to bring in some of our Peruvian organics,” he said. “Having our Peru sweet organics available has allowed us to continue our commitment to supply our customers with great quality organic sweet onions 52 weeks per year.”
Notable promotions
John Shuman said Shuman Farms is continuing its partnerships with the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University athletic programs.
“Our partnerships include exclusive tailgating recipes, in-stadium promotions and more — all featuring our premium sweet onions from Peru,” he said.
Shuman Farms will also partner this fall with Marques Watson-Trent, a linebacker at Georgia Southern University; Tate Ratledge, an offensive lineman at the University of Georgia; and D.J. Shockley, a former University of Georgia quarterback who played for the Atlanta Falcons.
“The partnerships with Watson-Trent, Ratledge and Shockley are not just about endorsements; they are about creating meaningful connections with consumers through shared values and a commitment to quality. These deals help us stay relevant and relatable in a rapidly evolving market,” John Shuman said. “By associating our brand with these respected athletes, who have a strong influence among younger audiences, we are fostering brand loyalty and increasing awareness among a key demographic that values authenticity and community connection.”
Bland Farms will partner with the Big Green Egg for its Gameday Sweetness promotion. Bland said his family’s business will also run a consumer-facing promotion giving away monthly prizes including Big Green Egg merchandise, prizes from Bland Farms, Vidalia brands and more. One winner will receive a Large Big Green Egg and an integrated Nest+Handler with Mates package.
“This is another way we support our retailers with their Vidalia and Peru premium sweet onion sales,” he said. “We have some great display bins and point-of-sale materials that help consumers locate sweet onions because the demand is growing.”
Shuman Farms said it will also continue its Feeding America bag promotion with retail partners, which is expected to help provide 100,000 meals to families in need.
“This promotion not only highlights our commitment to giving back to the community but also offers a compelling value proposition for consumers while making a difference in the communities where our products are sold,” John Shuman said.
