Hurricane Milton Puts Florida's Citrus Industry in Distress

The citrus plantations in Florida are once again struggling with the aftermath of a severe storm after Hurricane Milton swept through the region. Just as initial signs of recovery in the battered industry were appearing, the hurricane struck at the worst possible time—right before the critical harvest season. The storm passed through the central citrus-growing areas of Florida, leaving at least a dozen fatalities and once again limiting efforts to curb a citrus disease known as greening. This disease has severely impacted orange production for years, and Milton has exacerbated the setback. Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a grim forecast: Orange production in Florida is expected to fall by 16% to 15 million boxes, the lowest level since 1933. These figures do not even account for the damage caused by Milton, which could likely lead to further adjustments. Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, describes the situation of citrus growers as extremely discouraging. The optimism that prevailed with a healthy tree stock and good fruit development at the start of the season was thoroughly shattered. The industry is now calling for government support to mitigate multiple setbacks due to storms and the devastating disease. The overall impact of Milton is still unclear, but past storms provide alarming clues. The decline of the citrus industry in Florida has accelerated; production declines of over 60% after Hurricane Ian and more than a third after Hurricane Irma speak volumes. The comparatively lesser damage from Milton sparks hope, with early assessments remaining partly optimistic, as reported by Ray Royce of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association. The juicy prospects for orange growers caused a 4.4% rise in orange juice futures on Friday in a volatile market. The Floridian market is crucial for the U.S. juice supply, and the impacts of storms on cultivation and demand are of significant importance.