2013-14 winter toll on produce crops

According to a story in WS, this past winter hit farms especially hard. The article talks about the damage in the Midwest. A Michigan fruit grower “predicted … a total loss of his peach and sweet cherry crops from damage to the buds.” Apparently the height of the snow let the rabbits reach tree buds and they did a lot of damage.
The USDA says that fresh fruit prices will rise 2.5% to 3.5% nationwide this year. Ugh!
California citrus crops were hit hard: wiped out 40% of Central Valley mandarins, 30% of navel oranges, 20% of lemons, costing $441 million in revenue.
Winter wheat crop in southern plains was hurt with Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas getting the worst of it.
Wine-grape growers in New York and Ohio had widespread damage and some areas were designated “primary natural disaster areas” by the USDA. Some grape growers will qualify for Federal disaster assistance.
All this on top of the Michoacan lime grab, the Mexican “blood avocados”, the Sirrachapocalypse and the Velveetamaggedon and there might not be anything left to eat! Support your local CSA! ha ha ha (no, seriously.)

"The cost of fresh produce is poised to jump in the coming months as a three-year drought in California shows few signs of abating, according to an Arizona State University study set to be released Wednesday.

The study found a head of lettuce could increase in price as much as 62 cents to $2.44; avocado prices could rise 35 cents to $1.60 each; and tomatoes could cost 45 cents more at $2.84 per pound. (The run-up in produce prices is in line with other projections showing that overall food cost gains are expected to accelerate this year.)"

Hey! These are Jewel level prices!! --J

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/04/ ... sNewsFifth