Peaches
Peaches require moderate winter chilling, limiting major orchard development on Hawaiʻi Island. A few low-chill cultivars are tested in higher elevations, producing small yields for niche markets.
Historically, peaches are ill-suited to the island’s tropical environment. However, horticultural research has introduced cultivars that bloom with fewer chilling hours. Farmers in cooler, upcountry locales attempt small peach orchards, though yields and fruit size can vary widely. As a result, local peaches sell out quickly in farmers’ markets, attracting premium prices from curious buyers. Growth prospects remain cautious: orchard care is labor-intensive, and inconsistent chilling can jeopardize the crop in warmer seasons. Nonetheless, successes in pockets of Waimea or Volcano encourage limited expansions.