While Georgia may be known as the “Peach State,” South Carolina actually produces more peaches each year, securing its place as a top peach grower in the Southeast.
Recent data shows that South Carolina ships about 90,000 tons of peaches annually—more than double Georgia’s 40,000 tons. With around 18,000 acres of peach orchards, South Carolina’s farmers harvest over 200 million pounds of the sweet, juicy fruit each year.
Though Georgia has historical roots in commercial peach production, South Carolina’s ideal climate and dedicated growers have helped it take the lead in recent decades. The state’s peach season runs from mid-May through August, bringing a wide variety of fresh peaches to market.
Nationwide, California remains the largest producer of peaches, but South Carolina ranks second and is the top peach-producing state in the eastern U.S. The state’s dominance has even earned it the nickname The Tastier Peach State.
Weather plays a big role in peach production, and while unpredictable conditions can sometimes impact harvests, South Carolina’s consistently strong yields keep it ahead of Georgia year after year.
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