The San Joaquin Valley’s mandarin crop has been hardest hit by a December (2013) cold snap, which saw the area’s citrus industry lose an estimated US$441m in combined revenue, according to California Citrus Mutual.
At the time of the freeze, approximately 20 per cent of the mandarin crop had been harvested.Citrus Mutual estimates 40 per cent of the remaining tree crop was lost due to frost damage, equating to 4.7m cartons and US$150m in revenue.
The Valley’s navel crop fared slightly better, with 30 per cent crop loss. However, this translated to a revenue loss of around US$260m.Close to 20 per cent of the Valley’s lemon crop was wiped out, at an estimated value of US$24m.
Citrus Mutual president Joel Nelsen said a “slight” price increase might be imposed to recover some losses, however, the industry was mindful of fruit becoming too expensive.
“History tells us that higher prices result in demand for offshore citrus or alternative commodities,” Nelsen said.
The impact of the freeze will shorten the Californian citrus season substantially, with supply likely to cease around mid-May, opposed to the tradition end date around July.
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