The Crisis Facing Florida’s Orange Industry
Florida, once the undisputed king of orange production in the United States, is now grappling with an unprecedented crisis. The state’s orange industry, which has been a cornerstone of its economy and identity for generations, is facing a perfect storm of challenges. Population growth, devastating hurricanes, and a relentless citrus greening disease have all taken a toll on the industry. As the situation worsens, many are left wondering if Florida’s orange groves will survive.
The pressures on the industry are manifold. Polk County, which has long been the heart of Florida’s citrus production, is now one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. The rapid influx of new residents has led to a surge in housing development, with once-thriving orange groves being converted into suburban neighborhoods. Trevor Murphy, a third-generation citrus grower, fears that his family’s 20-acre grove in Lake Wales may soon be sold to developers. "At some point, this isn’t going to be an orange grove anymore," Murphy says, gesturing to the rows of trees that have been in his family for decades. "You look around here, and it’s all houses, and that’s going to happen here."
Mounting Challenges: Hurricanes, Disease, and Declining Demand
The citrus greening disease, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, has been a major culprit in the decline of Florida’s orange industry. This bacterial infection, which has no known cure, has decimated citrus production over the past two decades, leading to a 90% reduction in Florida’s orange output. The state’s citrus groves, which once spanned more than 832,000 acres at the turn of the century, now cover just 275,000 acres. California has eclipsed Florida as the nation’s leading citrus producer, further exacerbating the crisis.
Hurricanes have also played a significant role in the industry’s decline. Hurricane Irma in 2017, followed by a major freeze and two more hurricanes in 2022, caused widespread destruction to citrus groves. A tree that loses branches and foliage in a hurricane can take up to three years to recover, according to Murphy. The cumulative impact of these disasters has left many growers struggling to stay afloat.
Adding to these challenges is the decline in orange juice consumption in the U.S., which has been falling steadily over the past two decades. Despite a brief increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend shows no signs of reversing. This decline has put additional pressure on growers, as well as major juice companies like Tropicana, which are now operating at reduced capacity.
The Economic Impact of the Industry’s Decline
The decline of Florida’s citrus industry has far-reaching economic implications. The industry supports 33,000 full-time and part-time jobs and generates an estimated $6.8 billion in economic impact annually. Beyond growers, the industry sustains a vast ecosystem of related businesses, including juice processors, grove caretakers, fertilizer suppliers, packing houses, nurseries, and even candy manufacturers. Many of these businesses are now feeling the pinch as citrus production continues to decline.
Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, a trade association representing the state’s citrus growers, recently told Florida lawmakers, "Losing the citrus industry is not an option. This industry is… so ingrained in Florida. Citrus is synonymous with Florida." Despite this sentiment, the industry continues to shrink. Alico Inc., one of Florida’s largest citrus growers, announced this year that it plans to wind down its operations on more than 53,000 acres, citing a nearly 75% decline in production over the past decade.
The closure of Alico’s citrus operations is a significant blow to the industry, as it will leave processors like Tropicana with even less fruit to work with. The Gulf Citrus Growers Association, a prominent trade group, closed its doors last year, further signaling the industry’s decline.
The Real Estate Boom and Its Impact on Citrus Groves
As Florida’s population continues to grow, the demand for new housing has never been higher. The state added more than 467,000 residents last year, bringing its total population to 23 million, making it the third-largest state in the country. This growth has put immense pressure on the state’s citrus groves, as developers increasingly turn to agricultural land to build new homes.
Many long-time citrus growers are being forced to make the difficult decision to sell their groves to developers. Some prominent, multigenerational citrus families have put hundreds of acres up for sale, with land selling for as much as $25,000 an acre. While some growers, like Murphy, are holding on to their land and hoping for a turnaround, others see no alternative but to sell. For many, the decision to sell is a bittersweet one, as it often means the end of a family legacy.
Murphy, who owns several hundred acres of groves, has no plans to abandon the industry altogether. However, he has diversified his business interests, obtaining a real estate license to help other growers navigate the process of selling their land. Last year, he sold off several acres in Polk County to a home developer, using the proceeds to pay off debt and replant thousands of trees in more productive groves. "I would like to think that we’re at the bottom, and we’re starting to climb back up that hill," Murphy says.
The Fight Against Citrus Greening: Scientists Race for a Solution
While the challenges facing Florida’s citrus industry are significant, there is still hope for a recovery. Scientists at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred have been working tirelessly to find a solution to the citrus greening crisis. For the past eight years, researchers like Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, an entomology professor, have been developing a genetically modified citrus tree that can kill the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect responsible for spreading the disease. The genetically modified tree produces a protein that creates holes in the guts of young psyllids, effectively killing them before they can spread the disease.
While the genetically modified tree shows promise, it could be at least three years before it is ready for widespread planting. In the meantime, growers are trying other methods to protect their trees. These include covering young trees with protective bags, planting trees inside screened enclosures, injecting trees with antibiotics, and identifying trees that have developed natural resistance to greening. These efforts are not without their challenges, but they offer a glimmer of hope for an industry that is desperate for a solution.
The Future of Florida’s Orange Industry: A Message of Hope
The situation facing Florida’s citrus industry is undeniably dire, but it is not without hope. While the challenges posed by population growth, hurricanes, and citrus greening are significant, the industry’s resilience and determination are equally impressive. Growers like Murphy, who are unwilling to give up on their family legacies, are working hard to find new ways to preserve their groves. Scientists like Stelinski are racing to develop solutions that could save the industry. And while the road ahead will be difficult, there is a sense that the industry is finally starting to turn a corner.
For Tom Davidson, whose family has been making citrus candy and jelly in Lake Wales since 1966, the stakes could not be higher. "We’re really hoping that the scientists can get this figured out so we can get back to what we did," Davidson says. The ability of the citrus industry to recover will have far-reaching implications, not just for growers and their families, but for the entire state of Florida. As Stelinski says, "It’s kind of like being a Lions fan before the Detroit Lions started to win games. I’m hoping that we are making that turnaround." With determination and innovation, there is still hope that Florida’s orange industry will rise again.
