Rise in price of oranges due to cold weather in California
Los Angeles (AP) Prices of oranges and various kinds of vegetables are skyrocketing due to cold-weather damage in California. Intense cold weather conditions are most likely to continue until this weekend, which will cause prices of crops to rise, the Los Angeles Times reported on January 17.
On January 11, the temperature dropped below zero degrees and severe cold weather lasted for a week, causing critical damage to orange and lemon orchards; almost half of their yearly yield is going to waste. A large quantity of other outdoor crops, such as strawberries and lettuce, were also damaged by the cold weather.
A great rise in orange prices is clearly noticeable. The market price of oranges was US$17 per 35 liter bag, but the price has now doubled to $25 per bag and farmers anticipate the price to triple in a short time. Prices of other crops are on the rise as well. The wholesale price of broccoli on the 12th was $16-18 per box, but by the 16th it increased to $20-24 per box. The price of lettuce jumped from $11-12.5 per box to $16-20 per box. It has been confirmed that apart from these crops, a great deal of garden produce has also been badly damaged.
To prevent any further damage to farm households, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the ten most damaged counties in California. He also requested financial support from the federal government to help the state in need.
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 / 입력시간: 2007. 01.19. 16:49
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