International Citrus Business Conference Offers Rare Opportunity

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

international citrus business conferenceThe citrus industry has never been under such major threats to its survival as it is now. Citrus greening has drastically reduced Florida’s citrus crops. Orange juice and grapefruit juice consumption are dramatically down, and it’s not just due to higher prices. Consumers are switching to other beverages.

Now more than ever, the citrus industry must gather its experts and unite to better understand its challenges and develop potential solutions for survival. That’s the purpose of the International Citrus Business Conference, an event unlike any other in the citrus industry. Organized by Morris Agribusiness Services and AgNet Media, the event will take place March 27–28 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

More than two dozen confirmed speakers from five countries on four continents will address subjects that affect every aspect of the citrus industry. This global gathering of citrus experts is truly a rare opportunity to learn from the industry’s brightest minds. Speakers are industry leaders, researchers and growers discussing topics that include:

  • Long-range fruit production forecasts for Florida and Brazil
  • Costs to plant groves and produce oranges in Florida and Brazil
  • How processors and fresh packers plan to buy fruit in the expected future fruit markets
  • HLB solutions with the greatest potential
  • An update on HLB infection rates in Florida and Brazil
  • The role China will play as an orange juice exporter in the future
  • Enhancing demand for fresh citrus consumption
  • What U.S. consumers consider most important in deciding to purchase orange juice
  • Ways to improve the flavor of citrus juices
  • Impact of HLB on trends in availability and prices of cold-pressed citrus oils
  • Restoring growth to the European fruit-juice market
  • The organic European fruit-juice market
  • The long-term impact of Hurricane Irma on the Florida citrus industry
  • A wake-up call to action for the citrus industry, and more

This conference is the brainchild of citrus industry veteran and economist Allen Morris, who successfully organized international citrus economics conferences in 2010 and 2011 while at the Citrus Research and Education Center. “Many people who had attended the previous conferences told me that they should be continued because they filled a need for information and discussions that no other conference did,” said Morris. “I changed economics to business to reflect the broader nature of the upcoming conference.”

Morris invited AgNet Media to partner in the conference due to the company’s proven track record in managing Citrus Expo, one of Florida’s leading agricultural events. AgNet Media’s ability to connect with the conference’s target audience through the Citrus Industry magazine, e-news and website as well as via the Southeast AgNet and AgNet West radio networks will strengthen the conference.

The conference is targeted to industry leaders involved in production, processing and marketing of citrus products, including growers, fresh citrus packers, input suppliers, food and beverage flavor manufacturers, juice companies and others. Those who want to learn about the future of the global citrus industry and get ideas to help plan future business strategies — while networking and engaging in discussions with colleagues — will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.

Visit www.CitrusIndustry.net/BusinessConference to view the conference agenda, register online and get more information. Call 352-671-1909 for sponsorship opportunities.

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About the Author

Tacy Callies

Editor of Citrus Industry magazine