Sweet Onion Farmers Save Pennies: Walla Walla Fees Slashed by Feds
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Rule
Summary
If you grow or handle sweet onions in the Walla Walla Valley, good news! Starting May 4, 2026, the fee you pay per 50-pound bag drops from 20 cents to 17 cents. This lower rate will stick around until further notice, helping growers save money while keeping those tasty onions coming.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Handlers' Assessment Rate Cut
If you handle Walla Walla sweet onions, the assessment you pay falls from $0.20 to $0.17 per 50-pound bag (a $0.03 drop). This new rate applies for the 2025 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods and takes effect May 4, 2026.
Producers May See Lower Passed Costs
Assessments are collected from handlers but some costs can be passed on to producers; lowering the assessment from $0.20 to $0.17 per 50-pound bag may reduce those pass-through costs. For the 2024 crop, the rule notes assessments at $0.17 would equal about 1.89% of estimated producer revenue.
Committee Will Use Reserves to Balance Budget
The Committee estimates 222,950 assessable 50-pound bags for 2025, which at $0.17 per bag would generate $37,902 in assessment income; the 2025 budgeted expenditures are $58,374, so the Committee expects to use $20,472 from its reserve. The Committee also reports the financial reserve is currently about $91,694 and will be kept within the Order's maximum (not to exceed two fiscal periods' budgeted expenses).
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