Peach State not living up to its name

  • 2013-08-13
Recent official figures have shown that peaches continue to play a lesser role in the economy of Georgia, with the crop accounting for far less a contribution than ever before.

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the blueberry is now far and away the most important crop to 'The Peach State'. With so many places in the area taking their name from the little orange fuzzy fruit too, perhaps a rebranding exercise is needed.

After all, it was primarily through good marketing that the state got its name in any case. California and South Carolina have also been big rival producers. Today, they both produce far more peaches than Georgia too.

For some years, blueberries have been king of the crop here. Perhaps it should be Blueberrybush City, instead of Peachtree City as a result. It may be some exercise in poster printing for everyone though.
Since 2005, the blueberry has become far more important to Georgia than the peach. To highlight the fact, in 2012, the crop earned its growers someplace in the region of $94m. Peaches meanwhile generate just $30m - less than a third that of the small juicy berry. The ever decreasing tobacco trade has also helped fuel the rise.

As important as the power-packed fruit is to us here though, it is unlikely there will be any name changes to places soon. With the chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission, Joe Cornelius, even saying Georgia has little chance of ever being called 'The Blueberry State'.