Cuban citrus producers are bracing themselves for a battering at the hands of hurricane Ivan.
Southern Cuba is already feeling the effects and the islands western tip is expected to take the full force later today.
Ivan is reported to have strengthened as it heads towards Cuba, having caused massive destruction in the Cayman Islands.
The US National Hurricane Centre said the storm had now strengthened to the most dangerous category level five.
Cuba is still clearing up following hurricane Charley, which saw the grapefruit crops in the north and south west of the island wiped out.
However, the country’s orange crop was largely unaffected by the first storm, however producers are now waiting to see the effects of Ivan.
Meanwhile, Florida is also battening down the hatches, with Ivan’s expected arrival making it the third hurricane to hit the region in recent weeks.
