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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2017 www.nj.gov/agriculture
PO Box 330
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330 

Contact: Jeff Wolfe
P: (609) 633-2954
C: (609) 433-1785
E: jeff.wolfe@ag.state.nj.us

      

(TRENTON) –The United States Department of Agriculture’s August Crop Production Forecast for 2017 declares New Jersey’s peach production will rise to second in the U.S. The forecast, which is based on phone calls, mail, internet, and personal interviews with farmers in New Jersey and around the country, predicts state peach farmers will produce 48 million pounds of peaches this year.

 “Conditions in New Jersey have been perfect for growing peaches this season, allowing farmers to have an extremely high yield of the juicy, sweet tree fruit,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “We want people to know Jersey Fresh peaches are plentiful and available at supermarkets, farmers markets, and roadside stands. We appreciate the work the USDA does to keep produce buyers and consumers up to date on the current trends in the industry.”

New Jersey is on track to harvest approximately eight million more pounds of peaches in 2017 than it did last year, and is behind only California in peach production.

The first peach variety of New Jersey’s season is the Sentry. The crop is now moving into the Crest Haven variety, which also includes the Gloria variety of peach, followed by Jersey Queen and Fayette varieties. The Encore and Laurol varieties will wrap up the season sometime in mid- to late-September, when the last of New Jersey’s peaches should be picked. White peaches are available now and are expected to continue through mid-September.

To find Jersey Fresh peaches, go to your local supermarket or search for farmers markets, pick-your-own farms and roadside markets on the Jersey Fresh website at www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov. Also, check out Jersey Fresh peach recipes at http://bit.ly/1x7KZd6.

 A half-cup sliced fresh peaches is just 30 calories and provides 10 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Ripe peaches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Rinse peaches in cool water and dry before eating.

The USDA surveyed approximately 21,700 producers for the crop production report. The producers were asked questions about probable yield. These growers will continue to be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields.

 The August Crop Production report also forecasted a crop of 44 million pounds of apples for the Garden State, also up from last year. New Jersey cranberry producers expect to harvest 590,000 barrels, which would rank New Jersey third in the U.S. in cranberry production.

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 To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial or Twitter @NJDA1 and @JerseyFreshNJDA.