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Question: There has been discussion that HLB recovery will be seen in yield first and quality second. Is that happening?
Answer: It is still too early to tell exactly what the numbers will look like for the 2025–26 harvest. However, early harvest reports are coming in, and they seem quite encouraging. There is a report on a grove of Navel oranges that produced its best yield in 15 years with Brix topping 11%. There are also reports that Hamlins are picking better than expected.
In the past month, I have been out in groves that look extremely good, so my expectations are high for this season.
I reported in an earlier Ask the OTC Expert article that the ReMedium TI® injections should produce recovery in phases: yield first and then quality. Practically speaking, the HLB disease ultimately diminishes the root structure of the tree so that it eventually dies. Obviously, that impact must be mitigated to gain recovery.
The process of recovery is first evident in the recovery of the tree canopy. Then, the vascular tissue of the trunk improves to move nutrients more efficiently. Lastly, the roots can then begin to recover. This is where the industry should be at this time, assuming ReMedium TI® injections began in 2022.
The root recovery phase is when to expect the quality of fruit to return, and the tree is then also able to hold more fruit until harvest. Of course not every tree will recover at the same rate. So I still expect some mixed results for this season. But everything considered, it sure does seem like the industry is on the road to recovery.
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