BELLE GLADE, Fla. — Farmers reported temperatures as low as 26 degrees Tuesday morning in western Palm Beach County, as they began to count their losses in vegetable fields burned by frost.
The historic cold snap has hit the prime winter vegetable-growing area at one of the worst possible times. Fields are at peak capacity with crops timed for America's Christmas and New Year's dinner tables.
Gene Duff, general manager, Pioneer Growers Cooperative, Belle Glade, said Tuesday wholesale green bean prices jumped to $22 to $24 a crate, doubling from what prices were a week ago, but he said the increase isn't solely due to the freezing temperatures.
"Supplies tightened up going into the weekend and the cold made it worse," Duff said.
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