Florida’s citrus industry, a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural economy, has suffered a devastating blow in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which has left the industry reeling. Winds from the powerful storm ripped through the state’s citrus groves, blowing oranges off trees and further jeopardizing an industry already battling numerous challenges. Experts warn that the state’s seven-billion-dollar citrus sector could see significant losses, compounding the ongoing struggles caused by citrus greening disease and damage from previous hurricanes.
Hurricane Milton made landfall with strong winds and heavy rains, wreaking havoc on the state’s citrus-producing regions. According to Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, an advocacy group for citrus growers, the damage from Milton is catastrophic. “The oranges that were blown to the ground cannot be harvested, and that represents a significant loss to our growers,” Joyner explained.
Even before Hurricane Milton, the citrus industry was projected to face a challenging season. A recent federal report forecasted a 17-percent decline in citrus production for the current season, largely due to the effects of citrus greening, a bacterial disease that has plagued Florida’s groves for years, as well as damage from earlier storms. Now, with Hurricane Milton causing widespread destruction, those projections could worsen.
Florida is the nation’s leading juice-producing state, and its citrus industry plays a critical role in both the state’s economy and the national supply of orange juice and other citrus products. The loss of this season’s fruit due to the hurricane could lead to higher prices for consumers and further strain on growers who have already been dealing with reduced yields.
“This is a major hit to an industry that has been hanging on by a thread,” Joyner said. He is now calling for urgent state and federal support to help citrus growers recover. “We need immediate assistance to get through this season, and long-term solutions to address the ongoing challenges facing our industry,” he added.
In addition to the loss of fruit, many citrus trees were damaged or uprooted by the storm, which could affect future harvests. The combination of physical damage from Hurricane Milton and the ongoing threat of citrus greening presents a grim outlook for many Florida growers, who may struggle to recover without significant aid.
The impact of the storm is expected to be felt across the country, as Florida’s citrus industry supplies a large portion of the U.S. market. Economists are already warning of potential shortages of orange juice and other citrus products, which could lead to price spikes in grocery stores.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for the state’s citrus industry in the wake of the hurricane and has pledged to work with federal officials to provide relief to affected growers. “Florida’s citrus industry is vital to our state’s economy and identity. We will do everything in our power to support our farmers and help them rebuild,” DeSantis said in a statement.
While the full extent of the damage from Hurricane Milton is still being assessed, it is clear that the storm has added another layer of uncertainty to an already struggling industry. For now, growers are focused on salvaging what they can of this season’s crop and preparing for a long recovery ahead.
