FRESNO, California — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked the U.S. government for disaster aid because of an ongoing cold snap.

The freeze has destroyed nearly US$1 billion worth of California citrus.

Industry officials say shoppers will feel the sting through higher prices for oranges, lemons and other produce.

Federal disaster status would allow California to seek aid to offset losses to growers and other businesses.

Nearly every winter crop is affected by the freeze, from avocados to strawberries to fresh-cut flowers.

But it's the state's citrus crop that stands to take the biggest economic hit.

Todd Steel is owner of Royal Vista Marketing, which sells California citrus to markets throughout the U-S.

Steel predicts prices for oranges could triple.

California is the Number One producer of fresh citrus in the U.S., growing about 86 per cent of lemons and 21 per cent of oranges sold in the country.

Florida produces more oranges, but those are mostly processed for orange juice.