Hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupt Ohio's food supply chain

By Andi Anderson

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have struck Southeastern agriculture hard, causing billions in damages and threatening food supply chains across the U.S., including Ohio.

With major impacts on crops, livestock, and infrastructure in affected states, these storms have created a ripple effect likely to be felt nationwide.

Ohio relies on the Southeast for key agricultural products, making the disruptions especially concerning for local farmers and consumers. Hurricane Helene, one of the most devastating storms since Katrina, brought destruction to farms across six states, upending poultry houses in Georgia and North Carolina—two states that supply a large portion of the nation’s chicken.

Helene’s effects are compounded by Hurricane Milton, which disrupted ports and key agricultural facilities in Florida, reducing the availability of essential supplies like feed and fertilizer.

Economists, including Seungki Lee from Ohio State University, warn that supply chain challenges, combined with limited transportation routes due to storm damage, may lead to higher food prices across Ohio.

Damaged roads and ports have hampered the movement of goods, adding to a pre-existing slowdown caused by strikes on the East and Gulf coasts.

Ohio farmers may also experience higher costs for fertilizers and other supplies, as Florida’s fertilizer manufacturing—an important supplier for the Midwest—suffered from the storms.

Additionally, the impact on Florida’s citrus industry could drive up costs for citrus-based products like orange juice, which already saw record prices this year.

The widespread damage has left many farmers in the Southeast uncertain about their future, with some small operations considering closing due to recurring natural disasters.

Although larger producers are more likely to recover, the long-term effects on smaller farms could affect agricultural supply chains, which will inevitably influence Ohio’s food prices and availability.

As the impacts of climate change intensify, Ohio’s farmers and consumers may increasingly face these types of challenges, underscoring the need for resilience in the face of ongoing environmental shifts.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev