08/27/2026
Fruits Damaged by the 2026 Frost
The April 2026 spring freeze caused severe damage to many fruit crops across the eastern U.S., with losses ranging from 60% to over 90% depending on the variety and region
The most affected crops included:
Tree fruits
Apples – Losses of 70–90% in many orchards; surviving fruit often had dead seeds and “frost rings”
Peaches, nectarines, apricots – 90–100% losses in some areas
Cherries, plums – 95–100% losses in parts of Pennsylvania
Pears – 60–80% losses in European pear orchards
Berries
Blueberries – High vulnerability at the pink bud stage; significant losses in mid-Atlantic regions
Cranberries – Severe radiation frost damage in low bogs due to cold air drainage
Grapes
Wine grapes – Bud break stage most vulnerable; damage in regions like Virginia and New York’s Finger Lakes
Table grapes – Potential yield reductions from bud kill.
Stone fruits
Peaches, nectarines, apricots – Already listed above; early bloom made them highly susceptible
Other notable impacts
Strawberries – Less affected than other crops, but some late-season varieties still saw setbacks
Citrus – Early January freeze in Florida caused damage, though less severe than in stone fruits
In summary, the 2026 frost hit apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, plums, pears, blueberries, cranberries, and wine grapes hardest, with some varieties experiencing near-total crop loss. Even surviving fruit often had reduced quality or market value due to frost damage.
