Hurricane Ian Citrus Damages Could Hit $675 Million

Josh McGill Economics, hurricane

Total Florida citrus crop and tree losses from Hurricane Ian are estimated to be from $417 million to $675 million by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Hurricane Ian

FDACS’ Hurricane Ian’s Preliminary Estimates of Damage to Florida Agriculture report echoed a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) preliminary assessment of $147 million to $304 million in crop losses. But FDACS added total citrus tree replacement damages of $270 million to $371 million in addition to the UF/IFAS crop loss estimate.

FDACS noted that growers are reporting heavy infrastructure damage and major concerns about flood-caused tree mortality in the near future. It is estimated the Florida citrus industry will lose 8% to 11% of its 55.75 million trees to hurricane damage, FDACS reported.

“Most of these (citrus) losses are due to fruit drop, damage to branches and impacts due to heavy precipitation and flooding,” the FDACS report stated.

FDACS reported that DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties were citrus areas pummeled by major hurricane force winds. Hendry and Polk counties experienced hurricane force winds. Brevard, Collier, Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties experienced tropical storm force winds.

Losses for all Florida crops are estimated at $687 million to $1.2 billion. Total losses to Florida agriculture production and infrastructure are estimated at $1.18 billion to $1.88 billion. Citrus led all other agricultural commodities in expected losses.

The FDACS estimates are based on data obtained from:

  • The UF/IFAS Preliminary Assessment of Hurricane Ian
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service
  • The Florida Census of Agriculture
  • USDA My Market News
  • Timber Damage Estimates prepared by the Florida Forest Service
  • Early communication conducted by FDACS with industry leaders
    and individual producers

Source: FDACS

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