The Southern Californian agriculture sector is licking its wounds to the cost of around £23 million after last month’s wildfires. Avocados were the hardest hit of all crops.
Figures released this week by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) represent the first official estimates of damage caused by the fires that swept a large part of the State between October 21 to 25.
Four counties were badly affected, and avocado farmers have suffered most, with 60 per cent of the overall loss coming in that category.
The California Avocado Commission is predicting a 10 per cent loss in avocado production this season, at a value of roughly £18m.
The crop loss estimate is for this year only, however, and does not take into account future losses and damage to avocado trees, which could restrict California avocado production for several years.
San Diego County was by far the biggest agricultural loser, with CDFA estimating that growers have seen £20.9m wiped off their value this season. Orange County’s knockback amounted to around £1m in losses. San Bernardino County reported £650,000 of damage, and Riverside County has seen about the same figure shaved off its avocado crop.
In the horticulture sector, citrus groves and plant nurseries were also hit.
