Milton caused $1.5-$2.5 billion in losses to Florida agriculture, state Dept of Ag says

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hurricane Milton caused an estimated $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in damage to Florida’s crops and agricultural infrastructure, according to a preliminary assessment released by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Thursday.

The majority of Florida’s citrus producing counties were hit with high winds and flooding, along with areas that produce products like cotton, peanuts, rice, blueberries, strawberries and other tropical fruits, the agency said.

(Reporting by Karl Plume in Chicago)