Michael Kim

Michael Kim, owner of Young's Market at 2106 S.E. U.S. 1 in Vero Beach, said weather affects all types of crops and subsequent pricing.

The sweet onion bin at his maket was full of Vidalias on Wednesday, and Kim said he hadn't heard about the crop failure.

"If the price is so high that nobody buys (Vidalias), it'll come down," Kim said."It's supply and demand."

Large-scale processors, such as restaurant chains, tend to buy their onions ahead of time and will be less affected by the shortage.

Michael Kim, owner of Young's Produce on U.S. 1, hopes small retailers also will benefit.

"People don't spend as much as they used to (before Sept. 11, 2001)," he says."(Tax cuts) will probably mean more business."