New Peach Varieties For Florida
March 9, 2009 Newly developed varieties of peaches that grow well in Florida’s subtropical climate will enable consumers to enjoy fresh domestic peaches in the spring – nearly three months ahead of the traditional beginning of the U.S. summer peach crop.
With names like “Florida Prince,” “Tropic Beauty,” “UF Sun,” and “Flordago” the Florida peach has finally entered the market. Florida peaches were over 45 years in the making. Developed by the University of Florida researchers with cooperation from Florida’s growers, these peaches are specifically created to prosper in the warmer climates of Florida. The result is a delicious and juicy early-season peach.
These new peach varieties are good news for Florida growers who are seeking an alternative crop that reaches the market when other competitors are out of season. Early results show good market potential with positive feedback from consumers, according to research conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in conjunction with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Consumer data from a two-year project is being used to help determine market entry strategies for peach production in Florida.
Sweetbay Supermarkets saw considerable consumer acceptance of this new Florida product when it featured a display of “Florida Sweet” peaches this past spring.
“We see the value of working with our local growers on this commodity,” said Steve Williams, director of produce for Sweetbay Supermarkets. “There is a lot of potential in the coming years.”
Currently, there are about 70 acres of peaches being grown in the state, mostly in Central Florida. Producers reported success with the first year’s crop and expect to increase future production.
“We were happy with our first year of production and hope to double it next year,” said Ron Wilson of JON Peach Farm in Dade City. “The developing relationships with our retailers present endless opportunities for this product.”
Georgia and South Carolina are the Southeast’s regional production centers. California is the dominant producer in the West, and accounts for about 75% of all U.S. peach production. Currently, domestic peaches reach the market in early June with the imported peach deliveries ending in March. This leaves a three-month window when peaches are scarce. Florida peaches begin their season in April, just as Chile exits the market, and ends in June, just before California and Georgia enter.
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