JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Your orange juice could soon cost more, thanks to the severe freeze sinking into the Southeast. Florida produces 80% of the nation's oranges and cold temperatures could damage the fruit.
If the price of orange juice goes up, it's because the price of oranges is going up.
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The general manager of Beaver Street Farmers Market says they're not experiencing any crop shortages or increases in prices at this time, but with freezing temperatures approaching, he said costs could heat up.
"It's gone up enough as it is without the problems we've been having so it wouldn't surprise me at all," said Sydney Suther.
Suther said she's constantly stocking up on orange juice so a possible price increase isn't good news.
Freezing temperatures in Florida and short supply could produce higher OJ prices in the grocery aisle.
Greg Tyson with Beaver Street Farmers Market said they're not seeing the price increase right now but it's a possibility if the chilly temps continue.
"You're probably gonna see maybe a two or three-percent increase in prices, but now here at the market you can get a good price on a bag or oranges," said Tyson.
The last frost Florida's citrus experienced was in January of 2012, and mixed with a fungicide scare it pushed futures prices to an all-time high of $2.27 a pound. That's compared to $1.44 a pound at the beginning of this year.
And orange juice prices in stores have gone up 50% in the past decade, showing juice makers are competing for limited supplies of the fruit.
With temperatures predicted to dip as low as the upper 20's this week in Jacksonville, Tyson said his vendors are prepared to protect their products.
"We usually alert the vendors that a freeze is coming in, theyll take precautions to cover fruits and vegetables to make sure they don't get damaged. We do have refrigeration, so we will put real delicate sensitive stuff in there," said Tyson.
In the meantime, Suther said she has ways to not only conserve her orange juice, but also make it healthier.
"What I've been doing lately is cutting it with a little bit of water anyway to reduce calories," said Suther.
Tyson said, although the low is in the 20s Thursday morning, he said it will likely only last a couple of hours which isn't a big concern for them. However, he said they will take the proper precautions.