California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

This year’s peach growing season is coming to a close and growers of both
the good eating Freestone variety and the Clingstone variety for canning
have completed their harvest this year.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service -
The 2009 California Freestone peach crop forecast is 350 thousand tons,
down 5% from the June forecast, and 19% below the 2008 crop. Bearing acres
were estimated at 28.0 thousand. Frost damage, along with a decrease in
the bearing acres have resulted in a forecasted lower production for the
2009 crop. Harvest continued during June with Brittney Lane, Crimson Lady,
Spring Flame, Earlirich, Sierra Snow, and Ivory Princess the major varieties
harvested. Demand is reported to be very good.

The 2009 California Clingstone peach crop forecast is 440 thousand tons,
unchanged from the June forecast, but 3% above the 2008 crop. Bearing acres
are estimated at 24.6 thousand.

Of interest, although Georgia is known as the peach state, California is
the largest producer of peaches in the nation.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.