Peachy Comeback: Georgia Fruit Set for Bumper Crop After Disastrous Season

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Peaches

Fort Valley, GA — Georgia Peaches are poised to kick off an unprecedented run through produce departments and farmer’s markets across North America.

Photo by Clint Thompson/Shows peaches growing in Tifton, Georgia.

The signature sweet taste of Georgia’s legendary fruit was missed last season, and the Georgia Peach Council is excited to be back with a record-breaking crop of sweet Georgia peaches.

Industry optimism is based on a full winter of productive dormancy and a long, cool spring of perfect weather. Combine these growing conditions with well-rested fruit-bearing trees in their prime and you’ve got a sweet recipe for the best summer of succulent Georgia peaches in multiple decades. These conditions are also key in providing premium sizing and vibrant color to the fruit.

Peach Harvests

Georgia Peach Council growers will be picking more than 50 varieties of beautifully blushed peaches across 10,000 acres of manicured orchards. Harvests of early varieties have begun and will stretch into late August, with volume available for shipping mid-May.

“We’re going to make some friends this summer with the peach crop we have,” says Duke Lane, president of the Georgia Peach Council. “We can’t wait to get started.”

“These types of crops are just good for the soul. We work so hard, each and every day, to bring all this sweetness to the world. We just want to shout from the mountain top: Now’s the time to come get your Sweet Georgia peaches! Get your orders in today,” says Will McGehee, marketing director of the Georgia Peach Council.

 About Georgia Peach Council: The Georgia Peach Council is the proud supporter of Georgia’s commercial peach farms, including Lane Southern Orchards, Pearson Farm, Dickey Farms, and Fitzgerald Fruit Farms. Today, more than 50 varieties of peaches are grown statewide. Georgia produces more 130 million pounds of peaches each year, between mid-May and mid-August. For more information about Georgia peach background, health information, recipe ideas and more, visit https://gapeaches.org/