Historic freeze devastates Florida farms, impacts Panhandle producers

Florida’s agricultural industry has sustained more than $3 billion in estimated losses following a series of damaging freeze events, according to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. An impact now being felt from South Florida to the western Panhandle.

Preliminary assessments conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services indicate that multiple sectors were affected, including vegetables and melons, citrus, sugarcane, fruits, horticulture, and aquaculture. Officials caution that damage totals remain fluid and are expected to rise as field evaluations continue.

Northwest Florida has not been spared, with producers in Holmes and Washington counties reporting significant losses to winter vegetables, forage grasses, and early-season crops. The region’s agricultural economy which is anchored by row crops, cattle operations, timber, poultry, and small-scale produce farms has proven particularly vulnerable to late-season freezes.

Local farmer Wade Ellenberg said the February freeze dealt a direct financial blow to his operation.

“My farm lost about 50 percent of the cabbage crop because of the February freeze,” Ellenberg said. “We were about halfway through harvesting when the cold weather hit. The estimated loss is about $5,000 per acre on 10 acres.”

Ellenberg said similar concerns are being echoed across the region, particularly among citrus growers.

“I also contacted farmers in Washington County and Jackson County,” he said. “Their biggest concern is damage to citrus trees, especially to the fruit that is supposed to form this spring. Right now, it is too early to know how bad the damage is. Farmers will not know for sure until the trees begin to bloom in late March and April.”

Those concerns are compounded by damage from last year’s winter weather.

“Last year’s snowstorm already hurt the 2025 citrus crop, causing little or no fruit to set on many trees,” Ellenberg said.

Across the state, producers are reporting widespread devastation. Ellenberg noted that large blueberry operations in South Florida have reported complete crop losses, with many bushes so badly damaged they will need to be replanted. He also cited reports of entire fields of melons and tomatoes destroyedin southern Florida, damage worsened by another cold front that moved through just days later.

“The widespread ice storms and extreme cold have been a serious blow to agriculture in Florida,” Ellenberg said. “These losses will likely affect consumers this spring by reducing the amount of produce available and increasing prices for some fruits and vegetables.”

Commissioner Simpson said the state is prepared to work with federal partners to help producers recover, replant, and remain operational, emphasizing the importance of Florida agriculture to both the state and national food supply. Updated damage figures and assistance details are expected as assessments continue.