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The 2025–26 State of the Citrus Industry Survey asked growers if they are planting and what their variety and rootstock selections are. It also surveyed growers on their sentiments about the future of citrus in Florida. Following are some highlights from the survey which was conducted in the fall of 2025. (See Part 1 of survey results here). Growers’ preference …
A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) report — Citrus: World Markets and Trade — included global fresh orange and orange juice projections for 2025–26. FRESH ORANGE Global fresh orange production is projected up slightly to 45.9 million tons on larger crops in Brazil and Egypt, more than offsetting decreased production in Turkey, the European Union and …
The Florida Citrus Show is only two weeks away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The educational seminars have much to offer for both citrus …
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Congressman Scott Franklin, both of Florida, have introduced legislation directing research and development of affordable crop insurance to cover losses caused by cold exposure and freezes. The Temperature Event Mitigation Policy (TEMP) Act introduction comes in the wake of the late January/early February freeze that caused an estimated $3.1 billion in losses to Florida’s crops. …
This winter’s hard freeze may have knocked back visible Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) activity, but research shows the pest is not reliably eliminated by the cold. In lab studies, many ACP adults and nymphs survived several hours at 21 to 23 degrees, and eggs could still hatch after several hours at temperatures as low as 8 degrees. Adults can also …
By Peter Chaires Commercial and nursery growers, processors, packers, suppliers, caretakers, associations and research scientists came together on Dec. 5 to participate in the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm Open House and Field Day. This great event is co-hosted annually by the Florida Citrus Research Foundation (FCRF) and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). TOUR The event provided a broad …
Irrigation and fertilizer applications are important management tools for Florida citrus growers following the recent freeze event in late January/early February. Davie Kadyampakeni, associate professor in soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discussed both facets of tree maintenance during a postfreeze webinar hosted by the UF/IFAS Citrus Team. Key …
Caroline Schapansky, 21, a student at the University of Florida, was crowned Miss Florida Citrus 2026 on Feb. 14. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in disabilities in society. Nine Florida women competed for the title in five phases of competition: private interview, on-stage question, health and fitness, talent and evening gown. Schapansky won the …
As growers surveyed fields and groves after the freeze in late January and early February, it was clear the damage has been catastrophic in many cases. That was confirmed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson with the first estimate of damage released on Feb 20. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) preliminary estimates of losses to Florida …
As the Citrus Achievement Award celebrates its 26th year, AgNet Media is seeking nominations for this year’s winner. The award has grown into the gold standard of industry recognition for those who have made and continue to make a significant impact within and even beyond the Florida citrus community. The Citrus Achievement Award is presented to an individual grower, allied …
Citrus fruit grown entirely with renewable energy has entered the market for the first time in South Korea, as Jeju Island moves to extend its clean-energy transition into agriculture. The provincial government officially launched what it calls “RE100 citrus,” produced using only self-generated renewable power throughout the cultivation process. The declaration was made at the Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension …
Invaio Sciences, Inc. recently announced a collaboration with Fundecitrus (Fund for Citrus Protection), a research organization based in Araraquara, Brazil. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and evaluation of novel solutions — particularly peptide-based technologies — for controlling huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. The collaboration combines Invaio’s Biologicals by Design™ platform and Fundecitrus’ expertise in grove …
Federal agriculture officials recently established an area quarantined for HLB in, paralleling the intrastate quarantine that the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) established on Feb. 7, 2025. The quarantined area of approximately 9 square miles is in the Nogales area of Santa Cruz County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) took the recent action …
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently reported key facts about use of the H-2A program. The vast majority of Florida citrus is harvested by temporary foreign workers through the H-2A program. The program continues to grow with 398,258 positions certified in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Nearly 50% of the certifications in FY 2025 work in just five states: Florida, …
Federal and state agriculture officials on Jan. 26 established a Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Granjeno, Hidalgo County, Texas, designated the Granjeno quarantine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) took the action. APHIS and TDA established the Granjeno quarantine in response to the detection on Jan. …
Southeast citrus growers hoping that the Feb. 1 freeze would wipe out the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) population are going to be disappointed. “What we do know about freezes is a lot of time they will reduce or delay the buildup of many of the populations of pests that we worry about,” said Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of …
In January, the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors took up several projects aimed at plant transformation to improve HLB disease resistance in plants. MANJUL DUTT The board voted to fund work by Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of horticultural sciences, to graft the most promising non-genetically modified …
A new study examines the critical role soil pH plays in determining citrus root development, nutrient absorption and overall tree health. It offers insights for growers facing declining production challenges due to biotic restraints such as HLB disease and abiotic stresses such as low or high soil pH. The study looks at citrus root morphology across a range of soil …
With an investment of $200 million (in Brazilian reals), three citrus research organizations in Brazil have partnered to create a research center in São Paulo to seek solutions to citrus greening. The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Fundecitrus and Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture at University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP) agreed on Jan. 12 to establish the Applied Research Center …
By Megan Dewdney The recent freeze events of the last few weeks have scrambled the plans of citrus growers. It will take several weeks to months to understand the extent of the damage caused by the unusually cold weather. MELANOSE There is at least one disease that is highly likely to be worse than in other years. Melanose is likely …
