A late freeze paired with below-average chill hours this winter is expected to significantly cut fruit yields across Texas. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialist Tim Hartmann, temperate fruit crops including peaches and other stone fruit are among those taking the biggest hit from the double weather whammy.
Chill hours are critical for fruit trees to properly break dormancy and set a normal crop. When those hours come in low and a frost follows during bloom, the combination can devastate yields. Texas is a meaningful domestic producer of peaches and other stone fruit, and reduced output there can affect regional availability and pricing.
This is one to watch as the stone fruit season builds heading into summer. Buyers sourcing domestic product should check in with their Texas growers now to get a clearer picture of what volumes to actually expect.