Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) - Things are just peachy for South Carolina merchants who say this year's crop is the best in recent history.

Francis Smith has been selling peaches for more than 40-years and says this year’s crop is one of the sweetest he's ever tasted.

"I've never quivered when I bit into a peach until this year," said Smith.

On Monday at the State Farmers Market in Columbia, stands were full of the fruit.

Smith said business is booming.

"It's been a real blessing, it's one year out of ten that we look like were going to make some money this year," said Smith.

According to experts, this year's crop is the most plentiful in South Carolina in several years.           

They said the mild winter, combined with a lack of rainfall created a large crop of small peaches.

And Smith said the smaller the peach the higher the level of sugar concentration.

"You kind of feel a vibration taking over when you bit into one, there's so much sugar in there it makes you shake all over," said Smith.

And customers come from near and far to taste the sensation.

"They're juicy and sweet and you have to have a paper towel handy because it's going to run down your chin they're wonderful," said Columbia Resident Candice Lee.

And as for Smith - he said he's just going to enjoy the crop that makes this years peach business so sweet.