fresh

A Fresh Approach

Daniel CooperCRAFT, Fresh, Packing

Despite the challenges of the Florida citrus industry, Feek Family Citrus continues to successfully grow, pack and ship fresh fruit. In an effort to discourage his son from working in the citrus business, Doug Feek’s father gave him all the worst jobs to do in the family’s small grove. “He wanted me to save my back and work a desk …

production

Turkish Lemon and Grapefruit Production to Rise

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) projects that lemon and grapefruit production in Türkiye (previously known as Turkey) will both increase in 2023–24. LEMON Lemon production is forecast to increase 20% to 1.58 million metric tons (MMT). The increase is due to favorable weather conditions during spring 2023. Half of the total lemon production in Türkiye …

impactful

PIECES OF THE PAST: An Impactful Citrus Sisterhood

Daniel CooperMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette It’s amazing to see how impactful the Florida Citrus Queens have been in marketing our crops! From swimming with dolphins to posing on top of the sign for the host hotel of the annual pageant, these women worked overtime to sell Florida citrus. Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, was a master at using the Florida …

budget

Florida Budget Includes $47 Million for Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida, Legislative

Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) recently reported that the Florida Legislature’s fiscal year 2024–25 budget includes $47 million to aid the state’s citrus industry. The funding for various programs is: Additionally, the Florida Legislature’s budget includes a $100 million annual appropriation for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which aims to protect working agricultural operations from development by establishing conservation easements. …

stuart scholarship

Stuart Scholarship Applications Due April 15

Daniel CooperEducation, Scholarship

Applications for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s (FFVA) Mike and Karen Stuart Scholarship are due on April 15. WHO SHOULD APPLY The scholarship, with an award of $2,500, encourages and supports college students who intend to pursue a career in the specialty crop industry. It is open to incoming juniors through graduate program students. Applicants may be interested in …

hlb

HLB Could End Georgia’s Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperGeorgia, HLB Management

One California citrus leader believes Georgia should respond more aggressively to huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening) for the sake of the industry’s future in the state. Roger Smith, fourth-generation citrus producer and executive of AC Foods, spoke during the recent Georgia Citrus Association meeting in Tifton. He discussed the disease that devastated citrus production in Florida and could …

sales

Florida Citrus Land Sales and Prices

Daniel CooperLand

The recent Lay of the Land Florida 2023 Market Report from SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate highlighted 40 citrus grove sales in 12 Central Florida counties last year. The average sales price of $11,141 per net tree acre was up 3% from the prior year. The average gross acre sales price was $9,284, up 7%. The highlighted grove sales …

Citrus Showcase

Citrus Showcase Coming to California

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Events

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) will host the 2024 Citrus Showcase on March 14 at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, California. The event will feature informational workshops, continuing education unit-approved courses, a trade show and an industry luncheon. The luncheon keynote speaker will be California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.  “We are extremely pleased to have a …

challenges

Supply Challenges and Demand Solutions

Daniel CooperEconomics, Florida Department of Citrus

By Marisa L. Zansler The landscape of the Florida citrus industry has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. Over the past decade, it has faced substantial challenges in both supply and demand. Florida orange juice (OJ) production dropped by 85%, from 615 million gallons in the 2013–14 season to an estimated 94 million gallons in 2023–24. Even as imports increased …

assessment

Proposal to Increase Florida Fresh Citrus Assessment

Daniel CooperFlorida, Fresh, Regulation

The federal marketing order assessment rate for fresh Florida oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos would increase under a rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The proposed rule would increase the assessment rate for the 2023–24 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.015 to $0.02 per 4/5-bushel carton or equivalent for Florida citrus handled under …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Celebrating a Special Centennial

Tacy CalliesMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette One hundred years ago, in February of 1924, a young woman named Dorothy Williamson was chosen as Florida’s first Citrus Queen. Since that time, numerous young women have vied for the title and have promoted the Florida citrus industry throughout the world. To celebrate the centennial, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has interviewed many of …

U.S. Citrus Popular in China; Private Labels Grow

Tacy CalliesChina, Marketing

In a recent report on China, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) included sections titled “U.S. Citrus” and “Private Label Citrus – A New Trend in China.” Those sections are copied below. U.S. CITRUSU.S. citrus products enjoy a good reputation in the China market because of the premium quality and healthy benefits. Sunkist brand is well …

Citrus Congress

Australia Is Key Market for U.S. Fresh Fruit

Tacy CalliesExport/Import, International, Trade

Australia is a crucial market for U.S. citrus and other fresh fruits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). A recent report from the agency says the United States has benefited from a well-established reputation for producing safe, quality fruit. The report suggests ways U.S. fruit exporters can access the Australian market.   Demand for …

Emergency Funding Approved for Exotic Fruit Flies

Tacy CalliesPests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) is using $103.5 million in emergency funding to respond to the threats associated with growing outbreaks of exotic fruit flies. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved the transfer of the funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to directly support emergency response efforts domestically and …

Florida Department of Citrus Budget and Tax Rates Set

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Oct. 25 set the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) budget and grower assessment rates for the 2023–24 season. The FDOC budget will be $23.239 million, about $6.5 million less than the 2022–23 budget of $29.795 million. It includes administrative and support services of $2.153 million, a general revenue service charge of $222,000, a research …

Texas Grapefruit Headed to Vietnam

Josh McGillGrapefruit, International, Trade

Early this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in cooperation with other government agencies, got Vietnam to open its market to U.S. grapefruit. Fresh citrus grower, harvester and packer Wonderful Citrus, which has worked with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to grow its exports, saw a ripe new opportunity.  “Wonderful Citrus and our grower partners are excited for …

Social Media to Promote Florida Gift Fruit

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The majority of the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) $58,200 budget for gift fruit marketing in 2023–24 will fund promoted social media content. FDOC Global Marketing Manager Katelynn Long told the Gift Fruit Shippers Advisory Council Oct. 11 that the budget also includes influencer partnerships, media relations releases and content development and administration. Long said the FDOC plans to focus …

Syngenta Seeks Summer Intern Applicants

Josh McGillEducation

Syngenta is seeking citrus interns in Florida for the summer of 2024, with an application deadline of Nov. 1. The company plans to schedule and hold interviews before Thanksgiving. Syngenta provided the following information about the internship program and the qualification requirements:  PROGRAM OVERVIEWCitrus interns at Syngenta gain hands-on experience in the ag industry. This is a paid internship that …

Citrus Thrips Reduce California Production

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Pests

California citrus growers faced significant citrus thrips challenges this season due to the unprecedented rainfall, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) reported. The unusual weather pattern led to uncontrollable conditions in the field.  Reports from the CCM Pest and Disease Task Force indicated that some growers have experienced exterior fruit scarring on as much as 80% of the fruit in individual blocks. …

Egyptian Citrus Imports Would Be ‘Calamity’ for California Growers

Josh McGillInternational, Trade

Egyptian citrus could be on the way to the U.S. market after a request was made to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A pest risk assessment has been drafted by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Jim Cranney, president of the California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC), said the assessment is for fresh oranges and tangerines, which would …