Watching the scenes of devastation on America’s east coast this week puts some of our own weather concerns into the shadows. It almost seems wrong to be writing about the potential commercial losses that the US horticulture industry could incur when the tragic human cost is so fresh in our minds’ eyes.

But such is our role in this business - and the losses will be enormous. In terms of importance to the UK’s fruit trade and the business around Europe, the massive impact this freak weather will inflict on the Florida citrus industry is top of the list.

As with the oil industry, which gets the lion’s share of mass-media coverage, the knock-on effects of Florida’s losses will ripple around the globe.

Having adapted to the supply issues that arose from last season’s hurricanes, and then taking on board less dramatic - but no less disruptive - damage to the Spanish crop, those involved in the UK citrus job will be praying what they hoped to be emergency or interim measures will hold up for another few months at least.

One recurring theme from suppliers this year has been the reticence of UK retailers to recognise the anomalies of supply and demand with price increases during this particularly difficult time. Certain sources have benefited from problems elsewhere, but no-one is gloating and no-one is making that much money. It is a situation that puts the UK market in a vulnerable position if supplies continue to become harder to come by and suppliers are forced to choose the most profitable destination for their fruit.

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