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Peach Crop Devastated: Millions Lost to Freeze and Drought
29 May
Summary
- Rare freeze destroyed New Jersey peach harvests, causing $300 million loss.
- Texas farmers faced low winter chill hours, impacting fruit development.
- California peach farmers face losses due to cannery closures.
New Jersey's agricultural sector, renowned as the 'Garden State,' has suffered significant losses following a rare late April freeze. This weather event destroyed an estimated $300 million worth of peach crops during a critical developmental stage. Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency and requested federal assistance for affected farmers.
Across the nation, other regions also faced challenges. Texas farmers experienced a shortage of essential winter chill hours, crucial for peach tree dormancy and productivity. This has led to delayed budding and reduced yields. Similarly, a late March freeze in Louisiana decimated nearly all of Joe Mitcham's peach harvest, contributing to widespread crop failures across the South.
In California, the issue is market-driven. The closure of Del Monte canneries, following the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, has left approximately 420,000 clingstone peach trees facing destruction due to a lack of buyers for the fruit.
These combined agricultural setbacks, stemming from both adverse weather and market disruptions, are expected to lead to substantially higher peach prices for consumers. Farmers across affected regions have reported devastating losses, making the availability and affordability of peaches a growing concern.
