Florida freeze inflicts $3B in crop losses, producers seek federal relief
Florida’s deep freeze damaged crops across the state, totaling $3B in losses. See which sectors were hit hardest.
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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently shared a stark reality in the wake of the deep freeze that swept the Southeast: estimated crop losses across the state’s agricultural sectors now top $3 billion.
The sugarcane industry bore the brunt of the damage with over $1 billion in losses. Citrus crops suffered nearly $700 million, strawberries just over $300 million, and protected agriculture crops accounted for roughly $240 million in damages from frost and freeze conditions.
“It is clear that our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers — who we rely on daily to feed and nourish our communities — need timely and substantial support,” Simpson said. “Working hand in hand with producer groups and our congressional delegation, we stand ready to accept and quickly administer federal block grant funding to help impacted producers recover, replant and continue feeding the nation.”
Preliminary loss estimates across Florida’s diverse agricultural sectors include vegetables and melons, citrus, sugarcane, fruits, horticulture, and aquaculture:
- Tomatoes: $164,273,849
- Strawberries: $306,965,897
- Watermelons: $65,437,343
- Sweet corn: $255,363,251
- Sugarcane: $1,152,122,146
- Bell peppers: $108,380,389
- Potatoes: $79,065,000
- Cabbage: $21,800,280
- Squash: $24,522,275
- Blueberries: $78,512,400
- Greenhouse and nursery: $240,000,000
- Citrus: $674,660,336