Posted: 12.30.2011

If you're fond of tangerines or mandarin oranges - don't be surprised if you see a glitch in prices and supplies over the next couple of weeks thanks to cold weather in California!

Joel Nelson, with California Citrus Mutual a crop insurer, says that cold weather in the San Joaquin Valley have kept growers busy just trying to protect their ripening crop.  Nelson says that growers have to be very conscientious about the qulaity of the fruit they pack.  Any oranges that have already experienced exposure to temperatures below 28 degrees may not be able to be shipped out of state.

Nelson said the larger navel oranges are probably safe right now because of the high sugar content in the fruit - know as brix - which acts as a type of anti-freeze for protection. 

Neslon estimates that California citrus growers have spent around $70 million dollars just in the month of December to run wind machines and flood groves to keep temperatures above the 28 degrees when damage can begin.

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