"Orange groves are intrinsically tied to Florida's agricultural identity, with the state bringing about 70% of the nation's oranges to market prior to 2014. In recent years, however, a historic downturn has created disappearing groves and dramatically falling production, with some growers scaling back or even throwing in the towel, so to speak."
"The primary reasons for Florida's tumble from the citrus throne come down to three things: hurricanes, farmland reduction, and especially, an extremely insidious blight known as 'citrus greening.' The bacteria-based infection is a disease that's pervasive, destructive, and persistent once it takes hold, attacking citrus trees with devastating effects."
"It's not a total wipeout, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture still forecasting Florida production at about 12 million boxes of oranges for the 2025-2026 season - but it's still historically one of the lowest harvests in over a century."
Florida and California dominate U.S. citrus production, but Florida's orange industry faces unprecedented decline. Once producing 70% of the nation's oranges before 2014, Florida's output has plummeted to forecasted levels of 12 million boxes for 2025-2026, representing one of the lowest harvests in over a century. Growers are abandoning operations or significantly scaling back production. Three primary factors drive this crisis: hurricanes, reduction in farmland dedicated to orange cultivation, and citrus greening disease. This bacterial infection is particularly destructive and persistent, attacking citrus trees with devastating effects. Consequently, Florida oranges may become scarce or unavailable in grocery stores, with California increasingly filling the supply gap for American consumers.
#florida-orange-crisis #citrus-greening-disease #agricultural-decline #us-citrus-production #food-supply-disruption
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