Florida Citrus Producers to Vote on Market Order Continuance

A referendum will be conducted among eligible Florida citrus producers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos produced in Florida. The referendum to be conducted from Oct. 19 through Nov. 9 is directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS).

Only current Florida citrus producers within the production area that produced oranges, grapefruit, tangerines or pummelos for the fresh market during the period of Aug. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, are eligible to vote in this referendum. Ballots delivered to USDA AMS via U.S. mail or electronic ballot must show proof of delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 9 to be included in the vote tabulation.

It has been estimated it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of the approximately 200 citrus producers to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary.

Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the office of the referendum agents at Southeast Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS USDA, 1124 1st Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880; telephone 863-324-3375. Further information may be obtained from Jennie M. Varela, marketing specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, branch chief, at the Winter Haven office.

USDA must conduct a referendum on the market order’s continuance every six years. USDA would consider termination of the order if less than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and less than two-thirds of the citrus volume represented in the referendum vote in favor of continuance. In evaluating the merits of continuance versus termination, USDA will not exclusively consider the results of the continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all other relevant information concerning the operation of the order and relative benefits and costs to producers, handlers and consumers.

See the full Federal Register notice about the referendum here.

Source: USDA AMS