Early December freeze kills California mandarin, navel orange and lemon crops

A week of freezing temperatures in early December cost California’s $2 billion citrus industry about $441 million, according to an industry group.

California Citrus Mutual says mandarin, navel and lemon crops were lost during seven consecutive nights of freezing temperatures in the state’s Central Valley.

The group estimates that citrus growers have spent $49 million to protect the crop through early January.