Cold Weather Causes Citrus Supply Shortages, Higher Prices

EXETER, Calif. -- A significant amount of citrus fruit and other fruits and vegetables with crops in the Southern California region are at risk of being lost due to freezing weather. Farmers say it will take several days to know the true extent of the damage. However, before the bad weather came, there was approximately $960 million worth of fruit hanging on the trees, most of which will probably be lost before the freeze completely passes, industry experts said. Farmers were able to harvest seven to 10 days worth of fruit before the freeze, Dave Kranz, spokesman for the California Farm Bureau Federation, said. Retailers can expect to pay higher prices for citrus fruit, strawberries, lettuce and leafy greens, and artichokes grown in California. California grows approximately 95% of fresh market navel oranges and approximately 98% of fresh market lemons distributed in the U.S., according to the California Farm Bureau and California Citrus Mutual. -- Amy Sung