Hurricane Irma’s Impact On Florida Agriculture Hits $2.5 Billion

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has released its preliminary estimate of the financial toll Hurricane Irma took on the state’s agriculture industry. At $2.5 billion, the number is sizable. Officials, however, warn the figure is likely to change and not in a good way.

“Florida agriculture took it on the chin as Hurricane Irma pummeled the state, and the $2.5 billion in agricultural damages is only an initial assessment,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said in announcing the preliminary findings. “We’re likely to see even greater economic losses as we account for loss of future production and the cost to rebuild infrastructure.” (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Sarasota Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The state’s loss estimates include current crop losses. The numbers also reflect ancillary costs, such as damaged infrastructure, debris cleanup and animals’ welfare over the long-term after being affected by Irma.

The estimated losses by subsection of the industry are as follows:

• Citrus - $760,816,600
• Beef cattle - $237,476,562
• Dairy - $11,811,695
• Aquaculture - $36,850,000
• Fruits and vegetables other than citrus - $180,193,096
• Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture - $624,819,895
• Sugar - $382,603,397
• Field crops - $62,747,058
• Forestry - $261,280,000

The total preliminary loss to Florida agriculture is estimated at $2,558,598,303.

“We’re going to do everything within our power to support Florida agriculture as it recovers from Hurricane Irma’s devastation,” Putnam said.

To view the full report the findings are from, visit the state’s website.

Image via the National Hurricane Center