According to California Citrus Mutual, nearly on quarter of California’s $2 billion citrus industry was lost because of a week of freezing temperatures which fell into the 20’s in December. $441 million worth of navel oranges, mandarin oranges, and lemons were lost in the Central Valley because of the freeze over the course of the week. 30% of the navel orange crop valued at $260 million was lost as well as $150 million worth of mandarin oranges and $24 million worth of lemons. California Citrus Mutual estimates that growers spent $49 million trying to protect their crops through the frost. Because of the losses, consumers will likely see a shorter season for California oranges in 2014 in markets. Shipments are expected to cease in mid-May versus the usual mid-July.
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