Grapefruit in Florida narrowly escaped a damaging freeze last week. Doug Bournique, executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League told freshinfo: “It was closer than we would really like to admit. Temperatures fell to between 28 and 29°F (-1.6 to -2.2°C) when all the forecast had been was for the low thirties. For grapefruit, you don’t want any more than four to six hours below 28°F. We came very close to that on Tuesday and Wednesday night last week, but got very lucky and there was no damage to fruit.”

Red grapefruit sales are strong at this point in the season, which began in earnest in November and is likely to run right through the spring. Bournique said: “Red fruit particularly is moving very well, so although 2008-09 is not a great season, it is turning out better than expected. Interestingly, juice sales are strong and people seem to have switched onto drinking grapefruit juice again, which is good news for producers.”

The Indian River is Florida’s main grapefruit growing area, but further north in the state oranges are grown. Bournique reported that this area did sustain light damage but as much of the fruit is destined for juicing, the industry as a whole has not suffered greatly.

Topics