Merger creates largest peach, pecan entity in US

The recent merger of Fort Valley, Georgia-based Lane Southern Orchards with Taylor Orchards combines acreage, facilities and innovation, making this powerhouse team the largest peach and pecan operation in the United States. The consolidated operation will pack peaches under the Lane Southern Orchards label.

Taylor Orchards currently farms 3,000 acres of peaches and an additional 950 acres of row crops including peanuts and soybeans, and Lane Southern Orchards currently farms 2,000 acres of peaches and 3,500 acres of pecans. In addition to existing acreage, the company’s aggressive growth plan includes an additional planting in 2018 of 700 acres of new peach production and 1,000 new acres dedicated to pecans, resulting in more than 10,000 acres under cultivation.

“We couldn’t be more excited about opportunities this merger creates. Synergies between our farms create new efficiencies and offer further opportunity for growth,” notes Mark Sanchez, CEO and Jeff Wainwright, president of farming operations, in a joint statement.

The history and heritage of Taylor Orchards goes back to the early 1940s and complements that of Lane Southern Orchards, which dates back to 1908. Both operations have been modernized by implementing the most cutting-edge technology in growing and packing, as well as consumer packaging.  While modernization has helped make consistency and supply more streamlined, with quality in mind, every piece of fruit in a Lane Southern Orchards box is still hand-picked and hand-packed.

“This additional supply of peaches allows us to be a better supplier to existing customers and expand our customer base as well,” notes Duke Lane III, partner in Genuine Georgia and director of sales for Lane Southern Orchards. “From a sales and marketing perspective, you can engage consumers in creative ways with nearly 6,000 acres of Georgia peaches.  It is going to be an exciting summer for Georgia Peaches!”

Source: Lane Southern Orchards