A view into the Texas Citrus industry during the

A View into the Texas Citrus

Industry During the February Freeze

BY DALE MURDEN

It has been a year for the history books for citrus growers in the RGV. A lingering drought, Hurricane Hannah in July taking 20% of the crop followed by a devastating freeze in February. Valentine’s day 2021 T were exposed to 50 hours of below freezing temperatures. Anything below 28 degrees is devastating for citrus trees, with lower temps and extended times causing even more havoc. Any attempts to warm the trees were foiled by the wind. The juice inside the fruit freezes and expands, bursting the will forever be stamped in grower’s minds. It is hard to sum juice sacks and turning the fruit to slush. Some say you can up in words the hours and days of a freeze for citrus growers. hear loud pops reverberate throughout the grove as the tree

Heart breaking. Gut wrenching. Powerless. Watching the tem- bark splits open. Growers walking through the groves, slicing perature forecasts and knowing the damage that is to come. the fruit open to scrape ice where there should be juice.

Looking at your grove full of years of hard work, investment, and promise. And the stark realization that all will be changed Then the freeze passes and temperatures rise like nothing in a few short hours. happened. And yet within days a once thriving citrus grove is unrecognizable. Lush trees laden with grapefruit and orang-

On February 14, 2021, temperatures dropped below 32 de- es is now a wasteland of dropped fruit, withered leaves and grees then continued to drop over the following days, dipping damaged or dead trees. 60% of the region’s grapefruit crop to 21 degrees for a four-hour period. Altogether, the citrus trees and 100% of the late orange crop were lost. In addition, early

blooms for next year’s crop shriveled and turned black on the tree. If a tree survived, it could take a few years for that tree to recover. If the tree dies and must be replanted, it takes up to 5 years to even begin to see meaningful income after re-planting.

For many months and perhaps years to come, the Texas Citrus Industry will be taking stock and regrouping after this devastating freeze. With the area producing 230,000 tons of grapefruit per year, growers are expecting to lose an estimated 138,000 tons of grapefruit from this season and an untold amount from next season. Current estimates of the economic impact of this freeze is more than $305 million.

Following the freeze, Texas Citrus Mutual, the citrus industry’s grower association responded immediately, not only during the disaster, but even now asking for federal disaster relief.

TCM asked Governor Abbott to declare an immediate disaster declaration, and this was granted on February 17th and sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. TCM has also asked both United States Senators and our three Congressmen for disaster relief. They requested direct disaster payments and funding for tree removal. Congressman Cuellar is working to extend and expand a disaster program referred to as WHIP, a wildfire and hurricane program created in 2018-19. He is asking that it be funded and expanded to include this freeze and the 20202021 crop years. While this program is a start, it is not enough. Growers also need funding for the ever-increasing prices of tree removal included in these efforts, which TCM is continually pursuing.

We are now a few months past the freeze and there are still so many unknowns. Many trees were too hard hit and groves are being pulled out. Not all will be replanted as it is still undetermined how many growers will decide the investment is too great. Other groves are being nursed back to health and some blooms are even emerging. Ultimately, the size and acreage of our industry is very much up in the air at this point. As a grower, what can you do? Reach out to your elected officials and remind them of your plight. It is important that they hear from each and every grower affected. You can also contact your local Farm Service Agencies for additional information. If you would like information about Federal Assistance as it comes available, you can contact TCM to become a member at (956) 584-1772.

Since trees were first planted in the RGV over 100 years ago, the Texas citrus industry has had its fair share of struggles. And yet after each freeze, hurricane, drought, plight… many determined growers dig in and re-plant. Will this freeze shape and change our industry? Yes. Will innovative opportunities evolve as well? Perhaps. But without a doubt, the industry will rise again to grow world renowned citrus fruit from Texas.