Hurricane Milton Results in $1.5-2.5 Billion Losses to Florida's Agricultural Sector
Hurricane Milton has resulted in significant financial losses for Florida's agriculture sector, estimated to be between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion.
TroibNews 
Hurricane Milton inflicted estimated damages between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion to Florida’s crops and agricultural infrastructure, according to a preliminary assessment shared by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Thursday.
High winds and flooding impacted most of Florida’s citrus-producing counties, as well as regions that raise dairy cattle and grow cotton, peanuts, rice, blueberries, strawberries, and other tropical fruits, the agency reported.
Making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on October 9, Milton left a path of destruction across 51 counties, 34 of which have been designated as disaster areas, experiencing extensive flooding and wind damage.
The agency noted that Florida’s citrus sector faced "significant production losses" and is likely to endure long-term effects.
"Most of these losses are due to fruit drop, damage to branches, and impacts from heavy precipitation and flooding. Growers are also reporting heavy infrastructure damage, and there are major concerns of flood-caused tree mortality in the near-future," the preliminary report stated, based on initial communications with farmers.
It was also indicated that "minor to catastrophic damages" were anticipated in areas producing cotton, peanuts, and rice.
Additionally, the state’s dairy and cattle industries were significantly affected, experiencing "significant infrastructure damages," and power outages resulting from the storm disrupted cow milking and overall production.
The agency mentioned that more comprehensive damage assessments will be forthcoming as additional information is collected.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
High winds and flooding impacted most of Florida’s citrus-producing counties, as well as regions that raise dairy cattle and grow cotton, peanuts, rice, blueberries, strawberries, and other tropical fruits, the agency reported.
Making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on October 9, Milton left a path of destruction across 51 counties, 34 of which have been designated as disaster areas, experiencing extensive flooding and wind damage.
The agency noted that Florida’s citrus sector faced "significant production losses" and is likely to endure long-term effects.
"Most of these losses are due to fruit drop, damage to branches, and impacts from heavy precipitation and flooding. Growers are also reporting heavy infrastructure damage, and there are major concerns of flood-caused tree mortality in the near-future," the preliminary report stated, based on initial communications with farmers.
It was also indicated that "minor to catastrophic damages" were anticipated in areas producing cotton, peanuts, and rice.
Additionally, the state’s dairy and cattle industries were significantly affected, experiencing "significant infrastructure damages," and power outages resulting from the storm disrupted cow milking and overall production.
The agency mentioned that more comprehensive damage assessments will be forthcoming as additional information is collected.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
