Fruit growers across Pennsylvania are tallying heavy losses after repeated spring freezes hit orchards during bloom. Estimates from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension put apple losses at 70% to 90%, with peaches coming in at 90% to 100%.
This adds Pennsylvania to a growing list of Eastern states — New Jersey, New York, and Maryland have all declared emergencies or sought federal disaster aid — that got hammered by the same freeze events this spring. The cumulative impact across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast is significant, with multiple stone fruit and tree fruit programs now running well below normal supply expectations heading into summer.
Watch for tighter peach and apple availability from domestic Eastern suppliers through the summer. Buyers sourcing regional or local programs in those states should be actively reassessing volume commitments and exploring alternative origin options.