Florida's $3.1 billion freeze damage: Citrus, berries, and sugarcane face massive losses
Despite several weather advisories and multiple hours invested in prevention and preparation, Florida growers were just not ready for the incredibly aggressive, once-in-a-decade cold snap that hit the state nearly a month ago.
Now that the warmth has returned and plants have thawed, producers in the area are facing the devastating losses resulting from freeze damage, which the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has preliminarily estimated at $3.1 billion.
In terms of production, the strawberry and blueberry industries were the hardest hit, according to the report. The former suffered an estimated production loss of approximately 80 percent of the remaining harvest, which roughly translates into $306.9 million in losses.
On the blueberry front, things are not much better.
“The extreme cold killed floral buds, led to dropped fruit, and caused plant limbs to break under the weight of cold protection. Producers reported that the freeze will not only affect this year’s harvest, but harvests for years to come,” the FDACS explains.
Estimated production losses in the Florida blueberry industry preliminarily total 90 percent of the crop, translating to freeze damage valued at approximately $78.5 million.
Citrus freeze damages estimated at $675 million
Meanwhile, citrus, the Sunshine State's most important crop, suffered the loss of 15 percent of its trees due to freeze damage, along with a huge financial blow estimated at $675 million.
The grand total encompasses tree and infrastructure damage, estimated at $327 million and $41.5 million, respectively, as well as total losses for damaged fruit totalling $85.2 million.
The FDACS report also includes a freeze-damage forecast, with losses calculated at $220.5 million.
“The loss of bloom, new flush to support bloom, and existing fruitlets already in existence will contribute to future production losses from freeze impacts to citrus acreage, as will loss of foliage, limb dieback, and tree losses,” the document reads.
The industry will face an average annual loss in productivity of 27 percent that will persist for several years before returning to pre-storm production, the state agency explains.
“It is estimated that 80 percent of the total acres of citrus in Florida were significantly affected by the freeze damage,” the report continued.
Veggies, melons, and other crops also count their losses
As a big vegetable producer, Florida also experienced great freeze losses in commodities such as snap beans, bell peppers, eggplants, artichokes, broccoli, and leafy greens, among others. The FDACS calculates that losses in this category amount to $554.6 million.
Tomato and bell pepper producers lost 80 percent of their crops right before the middle of the season, resulting in $164 million and $108 million in losses, respectively. Sweet corn losses, meanwhile, amount to $255 million and potatoes to $79.1 million.
Watermelons were also affected, with an estimated 33 percent production loss. With the entire growing season still ahead, the state agency estimated a financial blow of $65.4 million.
Florida is also a major sugarcane producer, with an industry worth $1.6 billion in 2025. The sector suffered a significant blow, as freeze damage will not only affect the current season crop, but those to come. Estimated production losses total 35 percent and are valued at $1.65 billion, with current-season losses of $576 million.
*All images courtesy of the FDACS.
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