Photo courtesy of USDA ARS.

Overview

The two basic types of peaches are clingstone and freestone. With clingstone peaches, the flesh “clings” to the "stone" of the peach, making it difficult to separate, and thus more suitable for processing. In addition, this variety retains its flavor and soft texture during processing. According to the ERS, roughly 75 percent of processed peaches are canned and 17 percent are frozen. Processed peaches may also be frozen, prepared as baby food and concentrated for fruit juice. 

The pit of freestone peaches "freely" separates from the flesh, making it ideal for fresh consumption. Freestone peaches are generally larger than clingstones with a firmer, less juicy texture. While most commonly eaten fresh, these peaches may also be frozen and dried.  March 2010 . . . Peaches


Marketing

• California Canning Peach Association
• California Cling Peaches, California Cling Peach Board.
• China Agricultural Data, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2001 - Information on production, cost of production and trade.
• Fruits and Tree Nuts, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
• Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2009.
• Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Spreadsheet Files, ERS, USDA, 2009.
• Georgia Peach, Trade Environment Database (TED) Projects, 2004.
• Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA, 2009.
• Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2010.
• Peach Prices by Shipment Origin, Ag Marketing Service (AMS), USDA.
• Stone Fruit: World Markets and Trade, FAS, USDA, 2009.
• Sweet Georgia Peaches, Georgia Peach Commission.
• U.S. per capita food availability, ERS, USDA, 2008.
• United States Standards for Grades of Peaches, AMS, USDA, 2004.

Production

• Crop Profile for Peaches in Delaware, 2008.
• Disease, Insect and Weed Control Guide for Commercial Peach Orchards, Mississippi State University Extension.
• The Georgia Peach, University of Georgia - Provides access to the Southeastern Peach Growers' Handbook.
• Growing Peaches in North Carolina, North Carolina State University.
• Key to delicious tree fruit is keeping it out of the "killing zone," Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California - A completely new protocol has been developed for peaches, plums and nectarines as they journey from the farm to packing sheds, to distribution centers and finally to supermarkets.
• Peach Production, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), NCAT, 2003.
• PlantFacts, Ohio State University - This Web site provides a full-text search engine of all extension and academic department information from all land-grant universities in the United States. Additionally, there are significant image and video databases, a FAQ database and a glossary.
• Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Fresh Market Peaches, University of California Cooperative Extension, 2009.
• Skinny Peach Trees, Agricultural Research magazine, 2001 - A new variety of peach tree was developed that maintains a diameter of about five feet. That offers the possibility of growing more trees and peaches per acre.
• South Carolina Peaches, Clemson University, 2006.
• Southeastern Peach, Nectarine and Plum Pest Management and Culture Guide, University of Georgia, 2008 - This guide for commercial growers provides information on suggested fungicide and insecticide rates for various growth stages.

Businesses/Case Studies

• Berryman Family Orchard, Washington state - Organic peach producers Bob and Shelly Berryman, whose property sits above the Columbia River, have developed specialty niche markets selling directly to consumers.
• Chappell Farms, Kline, South Carolina - Grow and market wholesale and retail peaches under the "Pat's Pride" name. Peaches are shipped throughout the United States and Canada. The farm also sells gift boxes directly to customers online.
• Durbin Farms, Jemison, Alabama -  This farm has 150 acres in production and peaches are the staple crop. The farm also raises plums, nectarines, apples, blueberries and strawberries. It sells fruit at a market located next to an interstate exit as well as online.
• Paradise Orchards, Felton, Delaware - Raises more than 20 different varieties of peaches and nectarines on 10 acres. The orchard sells peach gift boxes online.
• Susquehanna Orchards, York County, Pennsylvania - Sells several varieties of peaches and apples from the 100-year-old slate roofed barn. Occasionally the farm has portions of the orchard open for pick-your-own.
• Texas Hill Country Peaches, Fredericksburg, Texas - This group of peach growers has a Web site listing each orchard's specialty, directions, hours of operation and phone numbers.

Links checked March 2010.