Florida's once-dominant orange industry is facing a drastic decline, with production expected to drop 95% by 2025 due to diseases and hurricanes. Historically, Florida was the largest citrus producer, primarily supplying oranges for juice processing. Conversely, California produces seedless navel oranges that are sweeter and easier to peel. These natural differences combined with environmental challenges have caused significant shifts in the market, favoring California's citrus industry over Florida's, which had been more prominent in the past century.
Florida's orange juice crop has been devastated by disease and hurricanes. Production is projected to fall by 95% by 2025 from its peak, disrupting the market.
For most of the last century, Florida was the nation's largest citrus producer, with 90% of oranges used for juice and processing, but not sold fresh.
California's ideal Mediterranean climate produces sweet, flavorful navel oranges, which are mostly seedless and easier to peel, contrasting with Florida's juicier, seedier oranges.
The recent challenges to Florida's orange production, including severe weather events, have swung the balance of the orange industry back toward California's favor.
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