Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County this week to see the freeze damage firsthand and sent a formal letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture requesting expedited federal disaster support for affected growers. The April freeze hit the state's fruit orchards hard, with significant losses across tree fruit crops.
This is another data point in what's been a brutal spring for domestic fruit production. From California cherries to Texas stone fruit and Canadian asparagus, late-season freezes have taken chunks out of multiple growing regions this year — and Pennsylvania's orchard losses add to that cumulative supply pressure across fresh fruit categories.
Federal aid approval could help growers stay in business, but it won't bring the lost crop back for this season. Buyers sourcing Pennsylvania-grown fruit should plan for reduced local availability and potentially higher prices from affected categories in the near term.