Del Monte Bankruptcy to destroy 420,000 Peach Trees in California

California farmers are scheduled to destroy approximately 420,000 clingstone peach trees across 3,000 acres following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Del Monte Foods. The mass removal is a direct result of the permanent closure of Del Monte’s processing facilities in Modesto and Hughson, which handled over 30 percent of the state’s canned peach production.

A steady decline in demand for canned products as consumers shift toward fresh produce and several other factors led to this collapse.

“As the lawmakers requested, USDA’s assistance to farmers will include up to $9 million for the removal of up to 420,000 clingstone peach trees,” Sen. Adam Schiff’s office said.

Removing these trees to take 50,000 tons of peaches off the market is expected to help farmers avoid an additional $30 million in projected losses. Clingstone peaches are grown specifically for canning; without a processor, there is no viable market for the fruit. Farmers are now considering transitioning to crops like almonds or prunes, though these require high initial investments and years to become profitable.

“Following our urging to the Trump administration to deliver relief to peach farmers, I am pleased that USDA is unlocking this federal funding,” Schiff said in a press release.

Farmers lost long-term supply contracts—some lasting 20 years—valued at an estimated $550 million.

“For generations, Central Valley family farms have relied on Del Monte’s Modesto facility to process their peaches, and its sudden closure left growers with thousands of pounds of fruit and no clear path forward,” Rep. David Valadao, R-California, said.