California citrus shipments could very well will be hit even harder than rather than less from recent freezing temperatures. Initally, close observers in the Central San Joaquin Valley were talking slight to moderate damage, but now you are hearing more serious descriptions such as “moderate to severe” damage.
However, specific results on how bad navels and madrians were hit won’t be known until around New Years.
Temperatures in citrus-growing areas in California’s San Joaquin Valley once again dipped to potentially damaging levels for seven of eight days between December 5th and 11th.
Temperatures below 27 degrees for several hours can damage Navel oranges and lemons, while more sensitive Mandarins are susceptible to damage at 32 degrees.
Frost-protection measures such as wind machines and application of water to the groves can provide three or four degrees of protection.
Approximately 12 to 15 percent of the Navel crop and 20 percent of the Mandarin crop has been harvested, leaving a significant percentage of the crop at risk of damage.
There is no doubt that damage has occurred across the citrus belt.
Damaged fruit will be eliminated from the fresh market and directly shipped to juice plants. For California citrus, juice plants are, by design, a salvage operation for lower-quality fruit.
California citrus and berries – grossing about $4600 to Chicago.