Ravaged orange crop in Florida raises fears of surge in US juice prices

Extreme weather fuelled by climate crisis and bacterial disease have led to ‘dramatic decline’ in orange crops

Orange juice prices are expected to rise further in the US after a bacterial disease and extreme weather intensified by global heating ravaged this season’s crop of the citrus fruit.

Last year Florida, which produces more than 90% of the US’s orange juice supply, was hit by Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Nicole and freezing conditions in quick succession, devastating orange producers in the Sunshine State.