As cleanup for many in Florida is underway after Hurricane Matthew, many in the citrus industry are reporting only minor damage. Heavy winds did cause some fruit drop in the Indian River citrus area. But according to Florida Citrus Mutual spokesman Andrew Meadows, the amount of drop was “not catastrophic.” Meadows said some Indian River growers and packers told Mutual that in addition to fruit drop, there will likely be some wind scarring of fruit. The Indian River area grows and ships most of the state’s fresh grapefruit. But while early reports of only minor crop damage have been noted, overall damage from Hurricane Matthew is still being compiled. But Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam recently told Southeast AgNet the citrus industry is a group of fighters.
