Georgia’s Vidalia Onions Arrive in Stores as 2026 Season Starts

Vidalia onions hit store shelves Monday. Farmers began pulling the crop from a 20-county region in southeast Georgia, kicking off what promises to be another strong year for the beloved vegetable.

The pack date of April 13 launched the 2026 season, which stretches through early September. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper and the Vidalia Onion Committee set this date after studying soil conditions and weather patterns to guarantee top-notch quality when these onions reach your table.

"It is a great day for Vidalia Onion lovers across the state and across the country as Georgia's world-famous onions are heading to store shelves right now," said Tyler J Harper, per WRDW. "Thanks to the tireless efforts of Georgia onion farmers, consumers around the world can look forward to another fantastic crop of Vidalia Onions this year."

This crop thrives only in one specific 20-county area of southeast Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture explains that the sweet flavor comes from a unique mix of weather and soil found nowhere else.

The Vidalia Onion Act was passed in 1986. It created a protected growing area and trademarked the name, limiting the label to yellow Granex variety onions grown within those boundaries.

Farmers must plant, harvest, and cure each onion by hand because they bruise easily. The Georgia Farm Bureau points out that these onions appear in markets for just a few months each year, making them a seasonal prize.

The Vidalia Onion Festival will run from April 23 through April 26. Visitors can catch concerts, ride carnival attractions, participate in an onion run, and watch airshows featuring the Blue Angels.