Peaches remain abundant in NC despite dry weather, agriculture department says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Dry weather isn’t preventing peaches from thriving in North Carolina.

The state’s peak peach season is underway, and many farms are expecting an extended season through this October, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).

“Due to the warmer winter, many farms didn’t get a freeze after peaches began budding this year,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. “That, combined with the sandy soil and good drainage where they grow best, means our farmers have plenty of peaches at their farm stands, farmers markets and in the grocery store.”

The number of peach farms and total peach acreage increased in North Carolina between 2017 and 2022, according to the NCDA&CS. As of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, North Carolina had 356 peach farms on a total of 1,273 acres.

“North Carolina grows more than two dozen varieties of peaches,” NCDA&CS marketing specialist Khaila Daye said in a statement. “Growers are harvesting clingstone peaches now and will begin harvesting freestone varieties near the end of the month.”

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