The Florida peach harvest is set to start mid-March, and run through May this year. Andrew Bentley of Florida Classic Growers says: “Weather permitted, we will start harvesting today. The season typically starts at the end of March or the beginning of April and goes through May. We have had a bit of an earlier start this season so we might end a little earlier too, but that remains to be seen.”
Good outlook for the season
With the harvest set to start, the forecast for the coming season is a positive one. Bentley says: “The trees are looking good. We had a nice bloom set this year and expect a great season.”
The weather in Florida has been okay for the peaches. “We could have used a few more chill-hours, which are hours during which the temperature falls below 45 degrees. The growers usually want a certain amount of these for the best growing conditions for the peaches,” Bentley shares.
U-Pick trend is area-specific
The U-Pick trend, in which consumers come to the orchards to pick their own produce to take home has been gaining popularity with Florida peaches, but, Bentley points out, it is a very area-specific trend. “There are a few around Dundee and Dade City, and the consumers flock to it, it’s really popular. A couple of our commercial growers also have U-Pick farms and they are doing very well. But, the success of these operations depends on their locations – not too rural – and their advertising to draw the consumers in,” he concludes.
The company will present their peaches in an 8-lb single layer trays, a 20-lb volume fill box, and in a 2-lb pouch. The Florida peaches are distributed domestically throughout the United States.
For more information:
Andrew Bentley
Florida Classic Growers
Tel: +1 (863) 439-1600
Email: Andrew.bentley@flclassic.com
www.flclassic.com