Overview
- A rapid mid‑April warm spell pushed trees and berries into early bloom and then temperatures plunged into the 20s on April 19–22, killing blossoms and young fruit.
- State damage assessments released May 20 show at least $300 million in preliminary crop losses in New Jersey and earlier Pennsylvania estimates put losses as high as $200 million.
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order declaring a statewide emergency on May 20 and formally requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation to qualify for federal aid.
- Growers report heavy damage to peaches, apples, grapes, berries and other fruits with some farms seeing near‑total or 90–100% losses and many areas exceeding the 30% loss threshold for federal programs.
- Officials warn the losses will strain local farm incomes, seasonal picking and winery supplies and could reduce summer and fall availability and raise consumer prices while damage reviews continue.