Recent reports from Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) and California Citrus Mutual (CCM) indicate that major support is likely forthcoming for the U.S. citrus industry.
RECORD FLORIDA FUNDING
FCM reports that the Florida Legislature continues to finalize a budget for the 2025–26 state fiscal year with a vote expected in both the Senate and House chambers on June 18. Senate President Ben Albritton, has advocated for record citrus industry funding to support research, innovation and replanting efforts. As of June 4, the House agreed to the Senate’s most recently proposed $104.5 million for citrus research, which represents an increase of $86.5 million over last year. Additional funding for the industry is under consideration.
EMERGENCY CITRUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM
According to FCM, on June 11, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee announced the inclusion of funding for the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program in the Senate’s farm bill reconciliation package, which aims to support researchers in developing solutions to combat citrus diseases that threaten production. On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation package for the One Big Beautiful Bill, which included funding for the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program and other key provisions for citrus and other specialty crops.
CCM says the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program provides essential support to public and private research institutions working to develop scientifically sound, real-world solutions to combat citrus disease pressures. Inclusion of this funding in the Senate package demonstrates a continued, bipartisan commitment to sustaining domestic citrus production in the face of unprecedented biological and economic challenges.
“California growers are confronting increasing pest pressures and regulatory costs,” said Casey Creamer, president and chief executive officer of CCM. “The Emergency Citrus Disease Program continuation ensures that science will continue to guide our path forward. We thank Senator Boozman and the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for recognizing the important contributions of our citrus growers by providing national research support for a critical domestic industry.”
“This research funding is vital for Florida’s growers, who continue to battle the daily impacts of HLB,” added Matt Joyner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of FCM.
Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, emphasized the importance of research continuity. “From Texas to California to Florida, citrus growers are united in the need for long-term investment in disease mitigation and industry survival,” said Murden. “This funding will support innovative solutions and bring much-needed stability to growers across the country.”
DISASTER AID
On May 7, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to expedite $21 billion dollars in disaster aid to farms and ranches nationwide. With that announcement comes hope that help through supplemental disaster assistance, including block grants, is on the way to support citrus growers’ recovery from last year’s hurricanes.
Sources: Florida Citrus Mutual and California Citrus Mutual
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