Freeze hits Central Valley
Freeze hits Central Valley
The California Central Valley citrus industry has been devastated by a deep and prolonged freeze.
Without knowing the full details, citrus growers fear the worst -- that a substantial portion of the crop has been lost to the freeze. Growers will assess the damage again Monday, Jan. 15 and have a better idea as the extent of damage and loss.
Meanwhile, the weather forecast for Bakersfield, CA, predicts morning lows of 25, 25, 28, 27, 29 and 31 over the next six days.
Despite being located so close to the Pacific Ocean, Oxnard, CA, endured freezing temperatures over the weekend. The current forecast calls for continued below normal temperatures but not below freezing through this coming week.
Faxed quote sheets from Oxnard shippers for Monday, Jan. 15 show f.o.b. prices of $25.45, $24.45 and $20.45 on celery 24-count, 30-count and 36- count.
Yuma was not spared either. Bill Spencer of Associated Citrus in Yuma said that Sunday's low was 20-22 degrees with a duration below 32 degrees of approximately 11 hours. The low at the Yuma airport was 26 degrees, which broke the old record set in 1884.
Pending further study, Mr. Spencer feels that the remaining lemon crop will not be salvageable. He added that he has seen nothing like this during his 35 years of growing citrus in the desert.
Sunkist and independent citrus growers have ceased shipping until further notice. All previous commitments have been canceled due to what is termed an act of God.
The freezing temperatures in Yuma also dealt a harsh blow to the row-crop markets. Prepare for severe lettuce ice, harvest delays, heavy epidermal peel, smaller head sizes, pale color, reduced shelf life and higher prices. Yuma anticipates moderately freezing temperatures the mornings of Jan. 15 and 16.
The Produce News will update this ongoing situation on this web site as information becomes available.
(Bill Armstrong is a self-employed produce broker who operates Armstrong Marketing in Salinas, CA. His Fresh Directions column appears in the Marketrack section of this web site every Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. He may be reached at ArmstrongMarketing@comc ast.net
Without knowing the full details, citrus growers fear the worst -- that a substantial portion of the crop has been lost to the freeze. Growers will assess the damage again Monday, Jan. 15 and have a better idea as the extent of damage and loss.
Meanwhile, the weather forecast for Bakersfield, CA, predicts morning lows of 25, 25, 28, 27, 29 and 31 over the next six days.
Despite being located so close to the Pacific Ocean, Oxnard, CA, endured freezing temperatures over the weekend. The current forecast calls for continued below normal temperatures but not below freezing through this coming week.
Faxed quote sheets from Oxnard shippers for Monday, Jan. 15 show f.o.b. prices of $25.45, $24.45 and $20.45 on celery 24-count, 30-count and 36- count.
Yuma was not spared either. Bill Spencer of Associated Citrus in Yuma said that Sunday's low was 20-22 degrees with a duration below 32 degrees of approximately 11 hours. The low at the Yuma airport was 26 degrees, which broke the old record set in 1884.
Pending further study, Mr. Spencer feels that the remaining lemon crop will not be salvageable. He added that he has seen nothing like this during his 35 years of growing citrus in the desert.
Sunkist and independent citrus growers have ceased shipping until further notice. All previous commitments have been canceled due to what is termed an act of God.
The freezing temperatures in Yuma also dealt a harsh blow to the row-crop markets. Prepare for severe lettuce ice, harvest delays, heavy epidermal peel, smaller head sizes, pale color, reduced shelf life and higher prices. Yuma anticipates moderately freezing temperatures the mornings of Jan. 15 and 16.
The Produce News will update this ongoing situation on this web site as information becomes available.
(Bill Armstrong is a self-employed produce broker who operates Armstrong Marketing in Salinas, CA. His Fresh Directions column appears in the Marketrack section of this web site every Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. He may be reached at ArmstrongMarketing@comc ast.net
