China, the world's leading producer of fruit, is also by far the leading producer of peaches.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, as of 2010, peach production in China was 10 million tonnes (11 million short tons), accounting for 50% of world production. Other leading peach producers are Italy (10%), Spain (7%) and the United States (6%).[1][2] Since most of China's peaches are for domestic consumption, China is not the world's largest exporter of peaches, but instead ranks as the fifth-largest peach exporter, behind Spain, Italy, France and the United States (4th). China's export of peaches to the U.S. during 2010 was valued at about US$55 million.[3]
The peach is indigenous to China, with its historical records traced from fossil stones in Wu County in Jiangsu province, during archaeological excavations.[1] The two types of peaches (Prunus persica, a deciduous fruit) are clingstone and freestone; the history and cultivation of both types have been traced as far back as 1000 BCE in China. They are now grown worldwide.[1][3][4]
- ^ a b c "Deciduous Fruit Production in China". fao.org. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ^ "Peaches and Nectarines". Australian Government Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ^ a b Henrich Brunke and Min Chang (March 2011). "Peach Profile". Agricultural Issues Center, University of California and Iowa State University. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ^ Layne, p.xiii–xiv, 1, 48–51