Columbia, S.C.
Despite frantic efforts by farmers, peach, berry, and grape crops were extensively damaged by the abnormal, subfreezing temperatures that gripped the South last week. “I don’t think there’ll be a decent peach out of South Carolina this year,” said South Carolina farmer Raymond Cook. Some farmers used their sprinkler systems to coat blueberries and strawberries with a layer of ice; the ice can help keep the fruit warm by trapping in some heat. The crop loss is expected to quickly translate into higher fruit prices at the market.
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