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NEW FLORIDA PEACH IS SWEET NEWS FOR CONSUMERS AND GROWERS
Florida's early growing season will help fill April-June gap in the U.S. peach market.
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Climate has been the main barrier to commercial success for Florida peach
producers.
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Newly developed varieties of peaches that grow well in Florida's
subtropical climate will enable consumers to enjoy fresh domestic peaches in the
spring -- nearly three months ahead of the traditional beginning of the U.S.
summer peach crop.
With names like "Florida Prince," "Tropic Beauty," "UF Sun" and "Flordago" the
Florida peach has finally entered the market. Florida peaches were more than 45
years in the making. Developed by the University of Florida researchers with
cooperation from Florida's growers, these peaches are specifically created to
prosper in the warmer climates of Florida. The result is a delicious and juicy
early-season peach.
These new peach varieties are good news for Florida growers who are seeking an
alternative crop that reaches the market when other competitors are out of
season. Early results show good market potential with positive feedback from
consumers, according to research conducted by the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services in conjunction with UF's Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences. Consumer data from a two-year project is being used to
help determine market entry strategies for peach production in Florida.
"This could offer Florida tree fruit producers a profitable, economically viable
alternative to citrus fruit production," Florida Agriculture Commissioner
Charles H. Bronson said. "Expanding the crop options available to growers
enables them to diversify, and that can help them maximize economic returns."
Sweetbay Supermarkets saw considerable consumer acceptance of this new Florida
product when it featured a display of "Florida Sweet" peaches this past spring.
"We see the value of working with our local growers on this commodity," said
Steve Williams, director of produce for Sweetbay Supermarkets. "There is a lot
of potential in the coming years."
Currently there are about 70 acres of peaches being grown in the state, mostly
in Central Florida. Producers reported success with the first year's crop and
expect to increase future production.
"We were happy with our first year of production and hope to double it next
year," said Ron Wilson of JON Peach Farm in Dade City. "The developing
relationships with our retailers present endless opportunities for this
product."
Georgia and South Carolina are the Southeast's regional production centers.
California is the dominant producer in the West, and accounts for about 75
percent of all U.S. peach production. Currently domestic peaches reach the
market in early June with the imported peach deliveries ending in March. This
leaves a three-month window when peaches are scarce. Florida peaches begin
their season in April, just as Chile exits the market, and ends in June, just
before California and Georgia enter.
Climate has been the main barrier to commercial success for Florida peach
producers. Traditionally, peach production requires 600 or more "chill hours"
for trees to produce a marketable product. A chill hour is time at or below 45
degrees F and is required for fruit propagation. The newly developed Florida
varieties require only 150 to 300 chill hours.
"Commercial producers will now have the opportunity to employ subtropical
cultivars with a market window favorable to higher net returns," said Florida
Cooperative Extension Agent Les Harrison. "The improved revenue stream will
economically strengthen growers and Florida agriculture over time."
Tom Thomas
mailto: thomast@doacs.state.fl.us
(850) 922-9827
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