Florida’s grapefruit producers lost a third of their crop to Hurricane Wilma - but there is relief that it was not more.
New US Department of Agriculture figures show that growers will produce 16 million 85lb cartons this season instead of the 24 million forecast before the hurricane hit in October.
Officials had initially warned that up to 50% of the state’s grapefruit might have been lost.
The latest estimate, although dramatically lower than original forecasts, is still better by three million boxes than last season’s hurricane-battered output.
However, earlier projections of five million cartons earmarked for export to Europe have been revised downwards to 3.5-4 million. Florida will pull out the stops to see that stores in the UK, one of the state’s key markets, will not go short of grapefruit supplies.
Andrew Meadows, public affairs manager at the Florida Department of Citrus, said growers were philosophical about the extent of the damage caused, but were taking nothing for granted.
“It could have been worse and there is a sense of relief. At least the hurricane season is officially over now, so we don’t have to be too concerned on that front. But we need to be vigilant in case there are freezing temperatures. None are forecast, but things can change.”
Wilma appeared to have done little long-term damage to orchards, but the same could not be said for the root disease canker. Meadows said that 10% of the citrus trees in Florida were in the process of being destroyed in a bid to eradicate the disease, which experts believe may have come in on hurricane winds.
Meadows admitted the canker could have longer-term implications for grapefruit production in Florida.
“Whether this land is replanted or is sold for development is the question.”
Richard Clarke
New US Department of Agriculture figures show that growers will produce 16 million 85lb cartons this season instead of the 24 million forecast before the hurricane hit in October.
Officials had initially warned that up to 50% of the state’s grapefruit might have been lost.
The latest estimate, although dramatically lower than original forecasts, is still better by three million boxes than last season’s hurricane-battered output.
However, earlier projections of five million cartons earmarked for export to Europe have been revised downwards to 3.5-4 million. Florida will pull out the stops to see that stores in the UK, one of the state’s key markets, will not go short of grapefruit supplies.
Andrew Meadows, public affairs manager at the Florida Department of Citrus, said growers were philosophical about the extent of the damage caused, but were taking nothing for granted.
“It could have been worse and there is a sense of relief. At least the hurricane season is officially over now, so we don’t have to be too concerned on that front. But we need to be vigilant in case there are freezing temperatures. None are forecast, but things can change.”
Wilma appeared to have done little long-term damage to orchards, but the same could not be said for the root disease canker. Meadows said that 10% of the citrus trees in Florida were in the process of being destroyed in a bid to eradicate the disease, which experts believe may have come in on hurricane winds.
Meadows admitted the canker could have longer-term implications for grapefruit production in Florida.
“Whether this land is replanted or is sold for development is the question.”
Richard Clarke
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