South Florida farmers and their crops are hurting after a hot fall and wet winter. The region provides vegetables to about 150 million consumers this time of year.
But, they’re sending fewer crops to market and those that make it often don’t look very good.
Gene McAvoy is the Regional Vegetable Extension Agent with the University of Florida. He consults with farmers in the area. He said it looks rough for South Florida farmers right now.
“I’ve been in Southwest Florida since 1989 and nobody remembers a year like this,” he said.
McAvoy said the hot fall increased the amount of fungal and bacterial diseases. Then came record rainfall in January. That caused fertilizer to leech into the soil, leaving the plants hungry.
McAvoy said South Florida farmers are yielding 30 to 50 percent fewer crops than normal. That has caused an increase in vegetable prices.
“For things like squash, which normally at this time of year might sell for $8 to $10 a box, was as high as $40 a box a week ago,” he said.
McAvoy said it’s likely many growers will not make money this season.
He said he hopes weather conditions will return to normal in April.
