Following several consecutive nights of extraordinary sub-zero weather, California's citrus crop has suffered extensive damage, with possible losses running into hundreds of millions of dollars.

Whilst California's production of oranges accounts for only about 25% of the entire USA crop, it is one of the principal feeders to their fresh fruit market.  Whilst exact figures of how much of the crop has been lost to frost remain unknown, the inevitable major shortfall will have to be made up with fruit from other regions.  Therefore it seems likely the knock-on effect of there being less fruit available for processing in other areas will be a further increase in prices.

Similarly, whilst Californian lemon oil production accounts for only a very small amount of worldwide production, the crop from this region represents the major source of US origin fruit.  With significantly reduced Californian crop available for the fresh fruit market, high-quality fruit from other sources will be used in its place, once again reducing the amount available for processing.