Citrus growers in Florida are still counting the costs of hurricane Charley which could run into hundreds of millions of dollars, claimed state officials.
Reports indicate anywhere between 20 per cent to a third of the state’s crop has been destroyed by the storm last week with a value of around $150 million.
At the moment, the orange crop in central Florida took most of the damage and figures are still unclear on the impact on grapefruit production, although some growing areas are reported to have sustained heavy damage.
Meanwhile, citrus growers in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, are hopeful the problems with Florida could boost prices and provide them with extra business.
John McClung, Texas Produce Association president, told local media: “It appears it will have some effect on us, our crop is looking very good, at least as good as last year or better.”
