Jacob Villagomez, director of governmental affairs for California Citrus Mutual, recently discussed developments that could benefit California citrus growers. Among the topics he addressed in the AgNet News Hour podcast were the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent modernization of the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice (OJ) and HLB research in California.
STANDARD OF IDENTITY FOR OJ
Villagomez said the FDA’s standard of identity modernization is positive for California. The modernization included an increase in the amount of mandarin and mandarin-hybrid juice that can be included in pasteurized OJ, from 10% to 15%. Villagomez said the change could increase mandarin utilization, help support a stronger juice-price floor and provide an additional market opportunity for California mandarin growers.
The change is particularly notable because California and Florida have very different citrus industries, Villagomez said. He noted that Florida sends approximately 90% of its citrus crop to juice, while California sends approximately 90% of its citrus crop to the fresh market.
The FDA’s modernization of the OJ standard of identity also reduced the minimum pasteurized OJ Brix requirement from 10.5% to 10%.
HLB RESEARCH
Villagomez discussed research into developing citrus trees and rootstocks capable of tolerating or resisting HLB, particularly from a California perspective. He noted that the disease which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid is a major concern for the citrus industry.
The National Citrus Breeding Program began in Fort Pierce, Florida, but California citrus interests pushed for the national program to expand beyond Florida, Villagomez noted. Through partnerships involving the Citrus Research Board in California and U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS) personnel, a citrus breeding facility is being developed at the ARS site in Parlier, California.
The California program could eventually produce trees and rootstocks better suited to the state’s climate, growing conditions and disease challenges, Villagomez said.
Hear more from Villagomez on these topics and much more in the AgNet News Hour podcast.
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