The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) says preliminary estimates suggest losses to the agriculture sector from the recent freeze could be more than $3 billion.
State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said this winter was one of the most damaging freezes in history for Florida agriculture.
Simpson also said he is partnering with the Trump administration to help the state’s farmers, ranchers and producers.
“I want to thank President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for their unprecedented support for our nation’s food producers,” said Simpson.
Members of Florida’s congressional delegation will also help the state administer federal block grant funds to assist affected producers with recovery and reforestation.
FDACS’ preliminary estimates highlight losses to Florida’s diverse agriculture sectors, including vegetables, melons, citrus, sugar cane, fruit, horticulture, and aquaculture. Figures will be updated as additional information becomes available. Estimated losses include:
Estimated total losses to Florida agriculture: more than $3.1 billion
Tomato: $164,273,849
Strawberry: $306,965,897
Watermelon $65,437,343
Sweet corn: $255,363,251
Sugarcane: $1,152,122,146
Green pepper: $108,380,389
Potato: $79,065,000
Cabbage: $21,800,280
Squash: $24,522,275
Blueberry: $78,512,400
Greenhouses and nurseries: $240 million
Citrus: $674,660,336
These estimates are based on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Florida Agricultural Census, USDA Market News, UF-IFAS Preliminary Freeze Event Assessments, initial surveys, and initial communications between FDACS, industry leaders, and individual producers currently engaged in large-scale recovery efforts.
