Torrential rain in south Florida is expected to increase prices with product shortages through late winter and early spring. In late January, heavy rains fell in Palm Beach County, one of the state’s largest growing regions of vegetables, halting harvests. From Jan. 26-28, continuous rains — up to 8 inches — soaked fields of sweet corn, green beans, celery, radishes, leafy greens and other vegetables and flooded some areas, leaving crops underwater. Vegetable grower Rick Roth, president of Roth Farms and principal owner of Ray’s Heritage LLC, estimates damage across the board to be 25%-50%. “There could be big losses,” he said Jan. 28. “The rain has not stopped. We’ve had 4 inches since yesterday. It’s looking pretty rough, especially for the vegetables. There will be losses on everything and there should be shortages on all commodities. It’s looking kind of bleak.” Roth Farms grows a variety of crops including radishes and Roth said corn likely has the best chance of surviving. In January and February, Belle Glade grower-shippers typically harvest corn several times a week but because of the torrential rains, it’s been 10 days since Scotlynn Sweet Pac Growers LLC last harvested, said J.D. Poole, partner. “With all the heavy rains we have experienced over the last week, vegetables in general have a very suspect outlook through February and March,” he said Jan. 28. “We could see reduced yields and lost acres in some cases. Supplies will be down the next couple of months and buyers should expect lower supplies and higher prices.” Poole said it’s too early to estimate damage on corn and beans and said it wouldn’t likely be until Feb. 8 until growers have a firmer idea on damage. Belle Glade is the hub of Florida sweet corn and green bean production. Growers harvest small supplies through the winter and promotable spring volume typically begins in early April.

Source - thepacker.com