Lychee, a tropical fruit prized for its sweet flavor, faces production threats from climate change in South Florida. Jonathan Crane from UF's Tropical Research & Education Center highlights that rising temperatures may shorten the growing season and impact yields, making it harder for local farmers like Harry Holmbraker to meet increasing demand. Despite a good season in Miami-Dade, growers worry about sustaining their business as extreme heat affects the already delicate lychee trees, leading to yields far below potential. With the market demand high, the future remains uncertain for lychee production.
"My phone has been ringing off the hook with people asking for lychee from Texas to New York to right here down in Florida."
"The problem is, how do you stay in business if your trees are only producing a viable crop for such a small amount of the year?"
Collection
[
|
...
]