A preliminary University of Florida report assessing agricultural damages and losses from Hurricane Idalia estimates that 3.3 million acres of ag land were affected, along with a $392 million loss in production value.
“The revised estimate for the California crop is 71.9 million 19-pound boxes,” said California Table Grape Commission President Kathleen Nave. “The last time the crop was under 75 million boxes was 1994.”
Economists have confirmed that Florida citrus crops sustained the most extensive hurricane damages, estimated at over $247 million, in a study of Hurricane Ian's impacts to Florida agriculture.
Nikki Fried, Florida commissioner of ag, says the preliminary assessment is a "first step" in trying to get federal disaster aid for affected producers.
While a preliminary snapshot of the losses to Florida agriculture, this initial assessment is "a critical first step in the process of securing federal disaster aid," said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.
As Floridians across the peninsula grapple with their losses and look toward meeting their immediate necessities, supermarket companies nationwide are sending relief in the form of volunteers, food and other supplies.
After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Michael in 2018 and six other hurricanes since 2000, Florida farmers are hyper-aware of the potential impacts of Hurricane Ian.
Work continues on cleaning up from Hurricane Ida with logistical problems remaining for moving grains. Now, Risk Management Solutions is estimating total insured losses between $31 billion and $44 billion.
Less than a week after Louisiana was ravaged by Hurricane Ida, farmers and ranchers are assessing the damage with recovery gets underway. And now a disaster relief fund is aimed to provide financial help.
Hurricane Ida caused "significant damage" to a Louisiana grain export elevator owned by Cargill Inc. Ken Erickson, Senior VP agribusiness with IHS market, says the Hurricane's potential impact on exports is huge.
Hurricane Ida hammered southeast Louisiana, as the Category 4 storm came with 150 mph winds. And as the system moves across the U.S., meteorologist Mike Hoffman says some areas could experience significant rainfall.
Hurricane Ida packed a punch of 150 mph winds this weekend, crippling grain shipping facilities in a key export area along the lower Mississippi River. Now it's a question of how long export activity could be shuttered.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reports minor losses to grapefruit along the east coast as winds ripped developing fruit from tree branches.
An abridged version of Florida’s 44th Tomato Conference, canceled due to Hurricane Dorian’s approach in the Atlantic, has been rescheduled for Oct. 2-3 in a new location.
Orange production in Florida has been dwindling for years thanks to the scourge of the Asian citrus psyllid. Last year, the industry also suffered a blow from Hurricane Irma. But there's a hint of optimism this year.