Texas peach growers are warning of a significantly reduced crop this season following a double hit of weather problems. A warm, dry fall meant trees didn't accumulate the chill hours needed for proper dormancy and fruit development, and a late freeze then compounded the damage on what little set fruit there was.
Texas peaches are an early-season crop that anchors domestic stone fruit supply before California and the Northwest come online in force. A shortfall there puts added pressure on supplies from other regions and could push prices higher during the early summer window when consumer demand for fresh peaches typically picks up.
California's stone fruit season is ramping up, but Texas typically serves different regional markets. Buyers in the South and Midwest who rely on local Texas supply should start assessing alternatives now.