Price increases for orange juice are anticipated as a result of Hurricane Ian's aftermath.
Although Florida is a significant citrus producer, the USDA predicts a 32% drop in output for the following season.
Florida farmers have been adjusting for years to problems brought on by invading insects and natural disasters.
A glass of recently squeezed orange juice will soon cost more money.
When Hurricane Ian recently tore through the state of Florida, Central Florida, which is home to large citrus plantations, suffered. These groves are responsible for the massive supply of fresh oranges and orange juice throughout the nation. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the orange crop could experience record lows as a result.
According to the USDA, only 28 million boxes of oranges will be produced during the 2022–2023 growing season, which is a reduction of 32% from the 41 million boxes produced the previous year. This suggests that orange juice prices, which are currently at an all-time high of $2.90 for a 12-ounce can, will increase as a result. These projections, according to a statement from USDA Commissioner Nikki Fried, were produced before to considering Hurricane Ian's impact and will provide "an invaluable foundation for growers, processors, packers, and the government in projecting additional crop loss."
Rest assured, Fried continued, "as we move forward in the wake of this catastrophe, that I remain unwavering in my support of our Florida citrus growers, and that my department remains committed to innovation in the face of the ongoing challenges of weather events like Ian, citrus greening, and unfair trade practices. "To watch such a storied Florida sector struggling right now is distressing. There is no denying that this year will be difficult, but I have faith in the grit and zeal of our citrus industry's professionals to emerge stronger than ever."
She continued by saying she would "do all in my power" to ensure that Florida's producers had access to all of the resources they needed to recover from Hurricane Ian.
The USDA projects that California will overtake Florida as the main producer of oranges in the coming season, producing close to 62% of the nation's oranges.
Production difficulties are nothing new for Florida producers. Insider previously traveled to central Florida to meet with a number of growers who have been dealing with problems with oranges and grapefruit for decades. These problems include those brought on by natural disasters as well as citrus greening, a disease brought on by a tiny, invasive Asian insect that infects trees, stunts orange growth and juice production, and ultimately kills the tree.
Since there is currently no treatment for the illness and continued difficulties with citrus development, Florida growers are striving to create novel strategies to promote citrus growth. Dan Richey, the CEO of Florida's Riverfront Packing Company, previously spoke to Insider about his Coca-Cola-funded experimental initiative, which comprises covering trees in red clay so that insects cannot see them and won't invade.
Despite rising costs and a possible shortage of citrus, there is still a demand for vitamin C. One of the biggest cooperatives of fresh fruit in Florida, Dundee Citrus Growers Association, CFO Jennifer Schaal recently told Insider that "demand hasn't diminished, so it's been extremely positive for us on our end in providing that vitamin C."
Citrus is one of the greatest methods to receive vitamin C directly, either through eating the orange or drinking orange juice, according to Schaal. Demand for any form of vitamin C-containing item has been very strong throughout the epidemic.
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