- A late April freeze devastated New Jersey's peach harvest, causing an estimated $300 million in losses and leading Governor Mikie Sherrill to declare a state of emergency and seek federal disaster assistance.
- New Jersey peach farmers described the damage as catastrophic, with many experiencing near-total crop failure due to the freeze hitting during a crucial stage of fruit development.
- Peach crops in Texas and Louisiana also suffered significant losses; Texas experienced insufficient "chill hours" during winter, while Louisiana was hit by a late March freeze, both impacting fruit development.
- California's peach industry faces a unique crisis, with approximately 420,000 clingstone peach trees slated for destruction following the closure of Del Monte canneries, which were major buyers of their produce.
- These widespread crop failures across New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, and California are collectively expected to result in higher peach prices for consumers.
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