Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, and Imported Onions; Modification of Size Requirements

This final rule changes the ``repacker/prepacker'' size designations for all varieties of onions except white or red varieties by increasing the minimum diameter from 1\1/2\ inches to 1\3/4\ inches, and the maximum diameter from 2\1/2\ inches to 2\3/4\ inches for onions in this size category. Recent trends in buyer preference reflect an increasing demand for larger size onions in the ``repacker/prepacker'' category. This final rule will benefit producers and handlers by increasing their flexibility and efficiency in the packaging of ``repacker/prepacker'' size onions. As provided under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, the change to the minimum size requirement also applies to all imported onions except white or red varieties.