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Florida’s citrus industry faces steep decline amid disease, extreme weather, and economic pressures

By Crystal Harlan

January 30, 2025

Many farmers, unable to sustain operations, are selling their land, which is then converted into residential developments and solar farms to accommodate the states growing population.

For decades, Florida’s identity has been intertwined with its vibrant citrus industry. However, the state’s orange production has plummeted by 90% over the last 30 years, with grove land shrinking by half in just the past decade. 

Once the nation’s top producer of oranges and grapefruits, Florida has now fallen behind California, as a confluence of factors threatens the state’s citrus groves.

A struggling industry

The top challenges facing Florida’s citrus growers are citrus greening disease, extreme weather, and market pressures.

Citrus greening is a bacterial disease that affects citrus trees, and is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. The disease has devastated citrus production worldwide, and there is no cure. Once infected, it is often necessary to remove the tree to prevent further spread.

To add insult to injury, major hurricanes along with increasing instances of floods and droughts, have severely damaged groves.

There’s also competition from other other citrus-producing states, especially California, which has driven down prices, making it increasingly difficult for Florida farmers to stay profitable.

As a result, many farmers, unable to sustain operations, are selling their land, which is then converted into residential developments and solar farms to accommodate the states growing population.

The decline in production has also taken a toll on industry organizations. The Gulf Citrus Growers Association, which represented growers in five Central Florida counties, shuttered last year due to financial constraints. 

And in January, Alico Inc., one of Florida’s largest citrus producers, announced it would cease citrus farming altogether, citing economic unviability. Over the past decade, Alico’s production has fallen by 73%, leading the company to stop investing in citrus beyond this year’s harvest. While some groves will be managed by third-party caretakers through 2026, roughly 13,250 acres—about a quarter of Alico’s land—are being considered for real estate development.

“We’ve explored all available options to restore our citrus operations to profitability, but the long term production trend and the cost needed to combat citrus greening disease no longer supports our expectations for a recovery,” Alico’s president and CEO, John Kiernan, said in a statement.

Looking forward

Despite these setbacks, some hope remains. In response to the crisis, the Florida Legislature has allocated $47 million in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget to support the citrus industry, including $18 million dedicated to research on combating greening. And, over the past four years, nearly 20,000 acres of new citrus trees have been planted, with officials emphasizing the importance of preserving Florida’s citrus heritage for future generations. 

Some citrus growers, Peter Story, have implemented protective measures such as growing trees under screens, spraying antimicrobials, and conducting frequent plant testing.

Innovative solutions are also emerging. In late 2022, South Dakota-based TJ BioTech introduced ReMedium TI, an antibiotic injection aimed at suppressing the bacteria responsible for citrus greening. Initial reports from farmers indicate a significant decrease in fruit drop, providing a glimmer of hope for the industry.

However, the long-term solution may lie in developing greening-resistant citrus varieties. Researchers are experimenting with genetic modifications, incorporating genes from spinach and mustard plants to create disease-resistant trees. But even if successful, it could take a decade before these trees produce fruit, a timeline many growers fear they cannot afford to wait for. 

Meanwhile, real estate developers are ready with offers, eager to convert struggling groves into new housing developments.

Author

  • Crystal Harlan

    Crystal is a bilingual editor and writer with over 20 years of experience in digital and print media. She is currently based in Florida, but has lived in small towns in the Midwest, Caracas, New York City, and Madrid, where she earned her MA in Spanish literature.

CATEGORIES: LOCAL BUSINESS

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