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News for citrus growers around the globe
By Peter Chaires Florida’s citrus industry is well supported by two phenomenal research institutions: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). UF/IFAS provides research and Extension support from its main campus in Gainesville, as well as from its research and education centers and county Extension offices across the state. …
European Union (EU) orange and orange juice (OJ) production in 2024–25 is both projected to decline from the prior season. The forecast was issued by the U.S Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). ORANGES The orange crop is projected at just above 5.6 million metric tons (MMT), down from the 5.7 million MMT orange crop in 2023–24. Orange …
Orange prices in Brazil set record highs in 2024, the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (CEPEA) in Brazil reported. According to CEPEA, the value of a 90-pound box was above BRL 100 ($16.63 U.S.) in the fresh market. The record price is explained by firm demand from the industry, which faced low orange juice (OJ) stocks and limited …
January temperatures have been low for cold-hardy citrus growers. They are about to get lower, however, beginning early next week. GEORGIAAccording to weather.com, low temperatures in Tifton, Georgia, are forecast to drop into the high 20s, Sunday through Wednesday, with high temperatures only reaching the mid-30s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Similar weather conditions are expected across the region, so growers …
Scientists have decoded the intricate metabolic profiles of citrus fruits, shedding light on the phenylpropanoid pathway. The pathway is a critical biosynthetic route for flavonoids and other phytonutrients known for their health benefits. By revealing the genetic mechanisms underlying these compounds, the research offers an approach to enhancing the nutritional value of citrus through innovative breeding and genetic improvement strategies. …
In an advance that could change how millions of patients take their medications, researchers have identified the genetic mechanism behind grapefruit’s notorious interaction with prescription drugs. The discovery opens the door to developing new varieties of grapefruit that won’t interfere with medications, potentially allowing patients to safely enjoy the fruit again. For decades, healthcare providers have advised patients to avoid …
The Florida Citrus Show is a day packed full of educational opportunities. It includes a morning general session focused on big-picture topics that impact specialty crop growers as well as afternoon breakout seminars for citrus and vegetable producers. In addition, the event provides a great opportunity for growers to interact with fellow farmers and industry stakeholders, which is an equally …
The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) annual report on Brazilian citrus included updates on citrus greening disease, production and planted area. CITRUS GREENING The report noted that new chemicals and practices have been developed to fight citrus greening, a major cause of recent production declines. Those chemicals and practices include a natural repellent called caryophyllene, …
A recent Florida TaxWatch report detailed the reasons for the decline of the Florida citrus industry. The report also described frustrations with efforts to combat citrus greening and suggested solutions for the industry’s decline. Edited excerpts from that portion of the report follow: Prominent citrus growers stated they are still optimistic about the future as many citrus entities are investing …
With 2024 in the rear view mirror, we asked leaders of key citrus organizations what their priorities are for this year. Here’s what they had to say. TREE OF THE FUTURE “For the last 2.5 years, our research strategy at the Citrus Research and Development Foundation has been to kill the bacteria that causes HLB — Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) …
University of Georgia (UGA) County Extension Coordinator Jake Price recently provided an update on a row of Sugar Belles planted at a Georgia research plot in 2018. The Sugar Belle planting originally had 20 trees on four different rootstocks. Each rootstock was replicated five times. The rootstocks used were US-852, US-942, US-897 and Rubidoux. “After the December 2022 freeze, the …
China, the world’s largest citrus producer, is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) to produce 7.62 million metric tons (MMT) of oranges in marketing year 2024–25. That’s a slight reduction from prior year production of 7.63 MMT. A range of weather-related issues is threatening orange production, including persistent rain in April and May that …
By Fernando Alferez and Saoussen Ben Abdallah The risk of citrus plantings to become infected with HLB is especially high for young trees, which flush frequently and attract more psyllids than mature trees. Individual protective covers (IPCs) are now being increasingly adopted to protect newly planted citrus trees from psyllid colonization. However, even though IPCs effectively protect young trees from …
A December U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) report on Israeli citrus discusses the impacts of the Israel-Hamas war on the country’s citrus industry. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the effects from the war on the citrus industry have become clearer. As such, USDA FAS has revised much of its marketing year (MY) 2023–24 (October–September) data to represent updates …
Specialty crop growers might be aware of the disease sweeping through Florida’s citrus industry. Its impact has been tremendous and has tested the survival of the state’s signature crop. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the official confirmation of citrus greening disease (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) in Florida. In the past two decades, the state’s output …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services (USDA/NASS) released a citrus forecast on Jan. 10. FLORIDA Florida orange and grapefruit production expectations were unchanged from the December citrus forecast. The Florida orange forecast remains at 12 million boxes and grapefruit at 1.2 million boxes. Florida non-Valencia orange final fruit size is smaller than the average, requiring 327 pieces …
A recent study sheds light on the significant effects of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacterium responsible for HLB, on the root systems of grafted Valencia orange trees. The findings reveal that root system reductions caused by the infection are more extensive than the corresponding aboveground declines. That finding underscores the hidden yet critical impact of the disease below the …
Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The genetically modified tree has only been tested in the lab and the greenhouse but is very promising as a potential solution to HLB. The approach involves inserting a …
Argentine orange and tangerine production are both forecast to decline in 2024–25 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). Orange production is projected at 620,000 metric tons (MT), down from 760,000 MT the prior year. Tangerine production is projected at 200,000 MT, down from 280,000 MT. REGIONS AND VARIETIES Sweet citrus is grown in both the …
Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and Hort Innovation to prepare the citrus industry against huanglongbing (HLB). Although widespread in Asia and found in North and South America, HLB is not known to be present in Australia. The psyllid that spreads HLB is also absent from Australia. A collaborative research …
