959 South Texas Onions

Crop Shipping Season: March 1 through July 15
Fiscal Year: August 1 through July 31
Production Area(s): 35 Counties in South Texas

Order Authority and Regulations

The marketing order authorizes quality regulations, research and promotion programs, and markings, pack and container regulations for onions grown in South Texas.  The order took effect on January 25, 1961 and was last amended under formal rulemaking on February 29, 2008. View the full regulation.

• Quality Regulations:  The marketing order authorizes grade, size, maturity, and quality regulations to maintain onion quality shipped to consumers.  These requirements established for onions also apply to imported onions from early March through early June each year due to 8e requirements.

  • 8e Requirements: 8e requirements specify that imported commodities must meet the same or comparable minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements, as those specified under this marketing order. Learn about Importing Onions.

• Research and Promotion:  The order authorizes production research and marketing research and development projects.  These programs are currently in effect.

• Pack and container regulations:  The marketing order authorizes regulations on the size, capacity, and weight of the containers used to ship onions to market.  These regulations are currently not in effect.

The South Texas Onion Committee consists of 10 producers, 7 handlers, and their alternates. Members serve a 2-year term of office that begins August 1. Terms of office are staggered so that approximately one-half of the committee is elected each year. Producers nominate producer members, and handlers nominate handler members. Usually two nomination meetings are held in District 1 (Coastal Bend-Lower Valley) and District 2 (Laredo-Winter Garden). Both handlers and producers are nominated at each district meeting. View a list of members & alternates.

• Committee Staff: The Committee has entered into a joint-management agreement with the Texas Produce Association and shares the staff of the Association.

Director, Market Development Division
Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service
Phone: (202) 720-8085