Georgia's peach season kicked off about ten days ahead of schedule this year, driven by an unusually dry March and April that accelerated development. Growers like Genuine Georgia's Will McGehee are excited about fruit quality and flavor, calling it a promising early start.
The catch: shipping rates are creating a real headache. With freight costs already elevated from fuel surcharges and tight reefer availability, getting Georgia peaches to market profitably is a challenge even when the fruit is good. This dynamic — great product, brutal logistics costs — is becoming a recurring theme across domestic growing regions this season.
For buyers, the early Georgia start offers a window to feature domestic stone fruit before the Northwest season fully ramps up. But expect FOB prices to reflect the freight burden growers are carrying. Lock in logistics early if you want to build peach promotions for June.