I live in a mountain valley in Mallorca where hundreds of tons of perfect Canoneta oranges fall to the floor and rot each year because the cost of picking them outweighs their market value. The valley became wealthy from this fruit in the 19th century but the economics no longer add up. [0]

At the same time the price of orange juice (elsewhere) has skyrocketed [1], yet this rural community seems unable to take advantage.

What would you do?

[0] https://ruralhotelsmallorca.com/guides/The-History-of-Soller... [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c397n3jl3z8o

How would you market such a business in 2026? I am from an Italian region where farmer grow many special coltures, and I was always a bit surprised why they don’t try selling on the internet. I ended up convincing myself it is not a viable business model.

we also film a lot of the growing process here: https://www.youtube.com/@vidaliaonion

Is anyone really getting into trouble growing Vidalia onions not in Georgia?

Like if I plant some in my yard and start selling them online or at the local farmers market, what is anyone really going to do?

Seems kinda weird they have a government granted monopoly on them.

Is your website accessible over the onion network by Tor?

just came here to say that this has been one of my favorite pieces of writing i came across on hn ever (i read it back in 19)