North Carolina has started harvest on its big crop of peaches. "We started harvesting early last week and so far, so good," says Ken Chappell of Chappell Peaches, noting that this timing is fairly close to the historical timing for the crop. "We had a normal bloom and I think because of that we're having a normal harvest time."
© Chappell Peaches
The grower-shipper began harvesting peaches last week in North Carolina.
To start production, Chappell Peaches is picking clingstone peaches which tend to be smaller. "It's going to be awhile before we get into what I consider the larger peaches," says Chappell. "We had a drought for about two to three weeks where we just didn't get hardly any rain. Then we got five inches in a week and the ground is now sitting pretty well."
© Chappell Peaches
The team behind Chappell Peaches.
Concerns over hail
He also adds that three weeks ago, a weather front came through the region that hit the mountains with hail. "I know there was a lot of substantial loss due to the hail on both peaches and apples," he says, adding that that weather event may also have affected South Carolina's peaches. "The hailstorm is the worst thing you can get at this time. There will be an impact on the crop but we won't know until it's analyzed."
On varieties, the grower is picking Desiree peaches right now along with Carored peaches.
© Chappell Peaches
The North Carolina peach season is expected to go into mid-September.
Meanwhile, Chappell expects good demand on North Carolina peaches this season, one that will last until approximately mid-September. "Pricing is going to be slightly higher but not by much–maybe five percent higher because of the inputs that are costing more," he says.
For more information:
Ken Chappell
Chappell Peaches
Tel: +1 (910) 673-1878
[email protected]
http://www.chappellpeaches.com/
