2021 Year in Review — Extreme Weather

( )

Among the many uncertainties of 2021, fruit and vegetable professionals were faced with extreme weather that wreaked havoc on the supply chain. As if a pandemic were not enough, growers, shippers, marketers and retailers were faced with a barrage of crippling weather, from extreme cold in New York and Texas, to the Western wildfires, Hurricane Ida, and severe heat and drought.

Here are a few articles that summarize the chaos that was 2021.

Snowstorm closes NYC’s Hunts Point for buying, but still receiving

Feb. 1
Amy Sowder

The National Weather Service’s observation location in Manhattan’s Central Park recorded 13.3 inches of snow, eight inches in the last six hours, with continued snowfall. Hunts Point Produce Market, which supplies about 60% of the New York City area’s fresh produce, was forced to close its doors to buyers, but continued receiving truck deliveries.

Unusually heavy snow partially closes NYC’s Hunts Point for a day

Feb 5
Amy Sowder

NEW YORK — Winter Storm Orlena blanketed the Northeast and New England regions so much so that Hunts Point Produce Market had to pause for a day until companies could toss it off and move on. New York City hasn’t seen a foot or more of snow in five years, and almost 18 inches of snow covered Manhattan’s Central Park.

Outdoor subway service was suspended, and railroads shut down. “Our snow operation team started 10 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 31) and continued through the storm well into Tuesday night,” said Philip Grant, Hunts Point Produce Market general manager.

Valentine’s Day freeze causes big damage in Texas

February 19
Tom Karst

In what some are calling the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, an extended period of cold weather destroyed some crops in Texas and damaged others in mid-February. More time is needed to fully measure the damage, but industry leaders said the freeze ranked among the state’s worst in recent memory.

Video: Texas growers recount devastating crop damage from recent freeze

March 8
Amelia Friedline

Texas Farm Bureau provides a closer look at the damage wrought on Texas crops by Winter Storm Uri. “I’ve never experienced anything like this,” Uvalde vegetable grower Brandon Laffere of L&L Farms said in the video. “I mean, this wiped us out completely.”

Texas growers, distributors poised for good volume, higher labor; freight costs loom

November 15
Tom Karst

The freeze caused a significant increase in grove care costs because of necessary pruning, as well as the need for some growers to regraft onto the root stock of new plantings that did not fare well, said TJ flowers, vice president of operations and sales at Mission, Texas-based Lone Star Citrus Growers.

“Our crews worked nonstop throughout the offseason to accomplish this,” he said. Despite the fierce freeze in February, the longer-term outlook for Texas citrus is positive, he said.

Heat, drought fuel western wildfires; more historic heat forecast next week

July 15
AgDayTV

Heat and dry conditions aren't helping the wildfire situation in the West. Right now, 67 large fires are burning across the U.S., scorching nearly 918,000 acres in 12 states.

Taking priority was the Snake River Complex wildfire near Spokane, Wash., which is comprised of three wildfires that were all started by lightning.

Lawmakers push for USDA help for growers scorched by drought, heat

July 29
Tom Karst

Western U.S. lawmakers are pushing the USDA to give more help to growers burned by record heat and drought.

In a July 27 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a bipartisan group of lawmakers asked for more relief for farmers, ranchers, shellfish growers and other agricultural producers in the West affected by historic wildfires, droughts and extreme heat.

California farmers leave fields fallow as drought grows more dire

May 28
Tyne Morgan

The drought has become a mainstay in California. Northern California reservoirs contain only half the water they normally do in late spring. As California farmers rely on Mother Nature and ground water this year, one farmer said it won't be enough to even grow a crop, with some farmers choosing to not plant at all.

Record heat takes toll on fruit crop

July 12
Tyne Morgan

Record-breaking heat that blasted the West is also proving to be lethal to crops. Even with the heat breaking a bit, daily records were tied or broken across California, Nevada and Arizona, with extreme heat also hitting Idaho and portions of the Pacific Northwest. The heat and extreme drought conditions are fueling wildfires, as well, and causing orchards and farm workers to change their schedules in order to beat the heat.

Growers speak out on water crisis

July 16
Tom Karst

California’s water crisis is bad and getting worse. In a video series released by Western Growers called “No Water = No Crops,” Joe Del Bosque of Del Bosque Farms, in Firebaugh, Calif., who sacrificed his asparagus field that still had five years’ productivity left, said, “This is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in a long time. Seventy people are going to lose their jobs here. Next year, there will be no harvest here. Those 70 people lose two months of work. It’s a very difficult hit for them.”

Drought makes citrus growers look hard at their future

Oct. 8
Tom Karst

The current drought in California is forcing growers to take a hard look at their permanent planting, such as citrus trees, says Matt Dusi, analyst for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. Dusi said that the high cost of water will lead to “tough decisions” for the 2021-22 citrus outlook in California and Arizona.

Hurricane Ida causes power outages, 'significant damage'

Sept. 3
AgDayTV

Initial assessment of the area hit by Hurricane Ida indicates some portions of Louisiana could be without power for weeks, possibly a month. This week, major export elevators such as Cargill confirmed a direct hit to facilities, citing "significant damage."

PMA unable to put on Fresh Summit 2021

Sept. 17
Industry Press Release

Hurricane Ida has forced the cancelation of the Produce Marketing Association's (PMA) Fresh Summit 2021.

“I believe our industry always has a role to play addressing our community’s largest challenges, and right now, the highest priority is the safety of those impacted by the storm,” said Cathy Burns, PMA CEO. “While I’m incredibly disappointed that we will be unable to come together this year, we must allow the city and its citizens time to regroup and rebuild.” 

Insurance losses mount as Hurricane Ida could land among top-five costliest hurricanes

Sept. 23
AgDayTV

Now, the Wall Street Journal is putting a dollar amount on the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. The report shows the storm is poised to be one of the top-five costliest hurricanes based on insurance losses. Risk Management Solutions is estimating insured losses between $31 and $44 billion.

The storm had a long tail, not just hitting Louisiana, but also causing damage in the Northeast as it moved on after making landfall.

 

Latest News

Sage Fruit at AWG showcase: Strong apple promotions available now
Sage Fruit at AWG showcase: Strong apple promotions available now

Sage Fruit Co. had good news for retail attendees at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Sustainable California Initiative charts progress in ag sustainability and equity
Sustainable California Initiative charts progress in ag sustainability and equity

GrubMarket says its initiative made strides in 2023, including the planting of 100,000-plus trees and aiding farmers in organic transition.

Oppy hits the slopes with competitive skier partnership
Oppy hits the slopes with competitive skier partnership

Ski-cross athlete Emeline Bennett will share food tips, highlights and more through Oppy’s social media channels.

World Variety highlights combo pack of dragon fruit at AWG showcase
World Variety highlights combo pack of dragon fruit at AWG showcase

With more than 1,500 options among its offerings, World Variety Produce had plenty of options to highlight at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

AgroFresh bolsters postharvest solutions with Pace International purchase
AgroFresh bolsters postharvest solutions with Pace International purchase

The company says the acquisition will expand its postharvest portfolio and that it plans to collaborate with Valent BioSciences to develop future products to boost produce freshness.

Wonderful Citrus highlights Organic Halos, Seedless Lemons
Wonderful Citrus highlights Organic Halos, Seedless Lemons

Wonderful also promoted its No Shells pistachios, including its new Jalapeño Lime flavor, at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.