Commercial Fruit Resources
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The 2026 edition of this publication covers integrated pest management information for blueberry producers in the Southeastern U.S. Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer’s label and performance data from research and Extension field tests. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. This publication is a product of the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium.
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In Georgia, there are many small-scale producers that largely use ecological production practices, such as Certified Organic, and sell in farmers markets or other direct marketing channels. As these direct markets begin to saturate, these producers may need to forge a path beyond direct markets to wholesale or institutional markets that want sustainable products. Food hubs may offer a path for these small farms to scale up. There are three overlapping forms of food hubs in Georgia. Each has different markets and thus different requirements for the producers who sell to them. This publication discusses the types of food hubs in Georgia and gives producers guidelines on which form of food hub may work best for them.
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AP 130-3-10
2025 Fruits and Tree Nuts Outlook
1. Blueberries will continue to lead the Georgia fruits and tree nuts industry in 2025 and subsequent years despite the damage from Hurricane Helene, which is expected to reduce production and yields.
2. The Georgia pecan industry will take several years to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and this natural shortage will keep prices strong.
3. Overall, consumer and grower price indexes will remain strong in 2025.|
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2022 plant disease losses, including control costs, amounted to an estimated $933 million. The value of the crops used in this estimate was approximately $8200 million, resulting in a 11.4% relative disease loss across all crops included in this summary. The estimated values for most crops used to compute these disease losses are summarized in the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development 2022 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report (AR-24-01). Some estimates for fruits, ornamentals, and turf rely on Extension specialists’ knowledge of the industry and industry sources for information.
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Blueberries are becoming the state fruit of Georgia with considerable acreage planted. Blueberries have many pest challenges and a current invasive pest challenge from spotted wing drosophilia (SWD). While efforts are underway to release new biocontrol agents for SWD, we still know little about the natural enemies in blueberry systems. Here we provide an overview of common natural enemies and conservation strategies for preserving beneficial species in blueberry systems. The work was funded by the NRCS to provide new information on natural enemies and pollinators and help with design and implementation of habitat management concepts.
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This resource is for peach producers, pickers, packers, and shippers, and provides maturity indices and postharvest handling recommendations for fresh-market peaches to reduce peach postharvest losses and prevent quality deterioration, recalls, and loss of value during the production and trade of peaches in the Southeastern U.S.
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Phenology refers to the sequential developmental stages, also called growth stages, that may occur in perennial plants every season. The growth stages of blueberry plants are affected by temperature, light intensity, and light duration (photoperiod). Erratic weather can impact the plant’s developmental phases. The different types of cultivated blueberries—northern highbush, southern highbush, lowbush, and rabbiteye—all possess a similar response to temperature, light levels, and photoperiod. Yield is directly related to flower bud initiation and differentiation. Therefore, growers must identify and differentiate flower buds from vegetative buds and understand their functions in order to apply the best practices from planting to harvesting.
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This publication will inform growers about the factors that can affect blueberry fruit set, development, and ripening. As weather patterns are shifting, it is important to keep in mind that environmental factors influence plants’ physiological and developmental processes and understand how that translates into fruit quality each harvest season.
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Dooryard citrus has been grown in Georgia for decades, but growing citrus commercially is new to Georgia growers. This publication addresses problem prevention, maintenance, insects, diseases, and some physiological issues of concern in Georgia. The time of year to address maintenance, insects, disease, and physiological issues is projected. Many of the production practices in Georgia are similar to those in Florida, but some, such as timing of fertility, are different. Many of the known insects and diseases of citrus have been confirmed in Georgia while others are yet to be confirmed. As new citrus trees and varieties are brought in from citrus nurseries in Georgia and other states, more production issues will arise. Many issues covered in this publication may not be present in all commercial groves, and other issues will certainly arise. Many citrus management problems can be prevented by proper planting techniques and by selecting the best citrus varieties and rootstocks adapted to our location. Planting healthy, disease-free citrus trees in appropriate sites with adequate windbreaks and irrigation may prevent future issues and limit the need for many pesticide applications.
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