Processing faces a pitfallDespite the early yields, the USDA report highlights that the processing sector is facing operational bottlenecks and changing consumer preferences, which could hinder industry recovery and growth. The facility processed roughly one-third of California’s clingstone peach volume, or about 70,000 tons. This marks the largest single-year acreage reduction since the USDA tree diversion program in the 2005/06 season. Clingstone bearing acreage has dropped by more than half since 2005, when growers managed 27,000 bearing acres. Related storiesUSDA approves up to $9M to help California peach growers stranded by Del Monte bankruptcy