How much Florida spring sweet corn and bean shipments will be affected by that March 4 freeze still remains unclear as everyone waits for farmers to provide some accurate estimates. It seems, however, they are starting to play down a little, how serious the damage was.
However, there still was considerable damage. How much, probably won’t really be known until they start harvest, packing and shipping. Reports from Palm Beach County, which ships most of the state’s spring corn, have down played the freeze from earlier reports saying losses will be less than 20 percent instead of 25 percent.
Bean Shipments
South Florida bean shipments have been delayed by the cold and wet weather and loadings are not expected until mid-April. This will push the Florida bean season much closer to the Georgia season, which normally follows right on the heals of Florida. High volume normally begins in mid-March for Belle Glade beans.
Citrus
Each month with the updated Florida citrus shipping forecast, the numbers continue to drop. The USDA’s March report shows this season’s valencia volume will decline by 3 million cartons, to 72 million cartons. February’s forecast indicated a 1 million carton decline.
While non-valencia oranges, including midseasons, increased by 1 million cartons, the valencia decline lowers the state’s 2013 orange crop to 139 million cartons. That’s down 5 percent from the February 141 million box estimate.
Midseason fruit generally harvest through March while late-season valencias begin production by March and harvest through early June.
Florida grapefruit shipments declined by another 1 million equivalent cartons, from 18 million cartons to the recent report’s 17 million cartons. Colored and white grapefruit production fell by 500,000 respective cartons.
Tangerines and tangelos, the state’s specialty citrus fruit, remain unchanged at 4.7 million boxes.
Florida’s predicted 160.8 million box total citrus crop is lower than the state’s recent five-year average of 179 million cartons. The state produced more than 200 million cartons in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
South Florida produce – grossing about $2700 to New York City.