Georgia, known as the Peach state, has been growing the fruit for 140 years. Excellent peach shipments are forecast.
There are approximately 10,000 acres of Georgia peach farms stretching across the historic Fort Valley plateau. 90 percent of Georgia peaches are grown in this region of Georgia, located just south Macon and west of Interstate 75.
Georgia peach shipments are expected to get underway the third week of May, with good volume shipments occurring for deliveries prior to the May 30th Memorial Day holiday. Georgia peach shipments will continue through the end of summer.
Due to ideal winter growing conditions, Georgia peach shippers see a bumper crop that could become the biggest in more than a decade. Harvest should begin May 15th.
This year, Georgia growers and shippers expect to harvest 80 million pounds of peaches, which could pack 3 million, 25-pound half bushel cartons, double the 1.5 million cartons they packed last season. This would be the largest volume since the 2004 season.
Besides the Eastern U.S. and the Midwest, Georgia Texas and Canada are among the strongest destinations for Georgia peaches.
Good, steady peach shipments are expected through the end of August without significant peaks and valleys.
Produce trucking in the Southeast leaves something to be desired, despite it being April. You might get some partial loads in Florida and finish of the truck out in Southern Georgia where there are light shipments of vegetables such as carrots, kale and other greens.
Southern Georgia vegetables – grossing about $2200 to New York City.