Del Monte bankruptcy prompts massive peach tree removal in California 7h ago

California peach growers are set to remove approximately 420,000 clingstone peach trees across about 3,000 acres following Del Monte Foods' Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and subsequent closure of its Modesto and Hughson processing facilities. This action, prompted by the cancellation of long-standing grower contracts, leaves farmers without buyers for tens of thousands of tons of fruit and could result in an estimated $550 million revenue loss. To mitigate this crisis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved up to $9 million in federal relief funding to assist farmers in removing these trees ahead of the 2026 harvest season, a move supported by a bipartisan group of California lawmakers aiming to help farmers transition to other crops.


















