lemon tree

Promising Biocontrols for Lemon Trees

Daniel CooperBiologicals, lemons

Brazilian and Portuguese researchers recently published a study about efforts to improve lemon tree growth, inhibit post-harvest decay and suppress phytophthora root rot. The authors are Marcio Alves de Sousa, Emilio Berghahn and Camille Eichelberger Granada with the University of Taquari Valley in Brazil; Rita de Cássia Sarraf Sousa with Francisco Nobre de Almeida State High School in Brazil; and …

conference

Citrus Biotechnology and Sustainability Addressed at Conference

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, Brazil, Events

Fundecitrus researcher Nelson Wulff discussed his organization’s efforts against citrus greening in Brazil during the recent IFAMA 2025 (International Food and Agribusiness Management Association) world conference. The event took place in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. Wulff spoke about Fundecitrus’ research focused on combating greening and controlling its vector in orchards. His presentation occurred during his participation in a panel titled …

citrus

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Exciting Opportunity for Citrus Nurseries

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Events

By Peter Chaires The International Society of Citrus Nurseries (ISCN) will hold its International Congress in Vina del Mar, Chile, on Aug. 18–19. Founded in 1981, ISCN was formed: ATTENDANCE AND TOPICS The International Congress is an opportunity to establish meaningful relationships, gain exposure to practical and academic information and tour nurseries and local citrus production. The event is not …

international

Fundecitrus Honored at International Juice Conference

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, International

During the recent International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU) conference held in Brazil, IFU honored Fundecitrus for its contributions to the citrus industry. Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from São Paulo, Brazil. The association aims to foster the sustainable development of the Brazilian citrus industry. Its mission includes developing research, disseminating knowledge and …

july

Sneak Peek: July 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

A July Specialty Crop Grower magazine article explores the potential of trunk injection for fresh market citrus. While trunk injection of oxytetracycline has become a common practice in Florida citrus grown for juice, growers of fresh market varieties have expressed interest in this HLB-management tool. Therefore, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are studying trunk …

good

Fundecitrus Launches Good Fruits Labor Project

Daniel CooperBrazil, Labor

Brazil’s Fundecitrus launched the Good Fruits program, aimed at adoption of legal practices in labor relations, during the recent Expocitrus event. The program’s objectives are to contribute to more responsible management on rural properties, strengthen compliance with Brazilian standards and promote a fairer, safer and more productive work environment. After launching the project, Fundecitrus distributed the guide “Employer Good Practices …

São Paulo

Fundecitrus Honors São Paulo Ag Secretary

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently led a tribute to Guilherme Piai, secretary of agriculture and supply of the state of São Paulo. The recognition of the secretary’s support in the fight against citrus greening occurred during the opening ceremony of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week. Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres presented Piai with a symbolic trophy in gratitude for his work and …

engineer

Citrus Engineer Honored

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Ivaldo Sala, coordinator of the Fundecitrus Technology Transfer department, recently received the Outstanding Agricultural Engineer in Citrus award. The award was granted by organizers of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week in Brazil.  The award ceremony was part of the opening afternoon of the exhibition week. Sala, who has worked at Fundecitrus 32 years, said, “We have worked tirelessly, transforming the …

Georgia citrus

Innovation and Sustainability: Lessons From California for Georgia Citrus

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Georgia

By Lindy Savelle In mid-April, members of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) traveled to California’s Central Valley to study the systems, innovations and strategies that have made the state a powerhouse in citrus production. Our goal was clear: to bring back ideas, solutions and inspiration that can help shape the future of Georgia’s growing citrus industry. Our group included growers, …

oj

New Insights Into OJ Demand

Daniel CooperEconomics, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

By Marisa L. Zansler One-hundred percent orange juice (OJ) has long been a favorite in American households, but supply challenges, changing consumer behaviors, a crowded beverage category and higher prices have impacted how much OJ consumers buy. Recent research conducted by Sungeun Yoon sheds light on consumer price sensitivity and substitution behaviors within the category, offering actionable insights for growers, …

greening-resistant

Greening-Resistant Orange Tree Research Progresses

Daniel CooperHLB Management, International, Research

Researchers with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) recently visited Brazil to discuss cooperative efforts with Fundecitrus to develop greening-resistant orange trees. The CIRAD researchers were Raphaël Morillon and Bárbara Hufnagel. CIRAD is an agronomic research and international cooperation organization for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. CIRAD maintains a large citrus genomic database on …

Fundecitrus

Fundecitrus Researchers Visit Australia on Greening Mission

Daniel CooperHLB Management, International

Fundecitrus researchers Juan Arenas, Mônica Neli Alves and Sílvio Lopes recently participated in the Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists in Mildura, Australia. Alves discussed research conducted by Fundecitrus exploring the use of species in the genetic improvement of citrus trees resistant to greening. Lopes presented a comparative overview of greening and citrus variegated chlorosis, two of the …

Malcolm Manners

Florida Southern College’s Malcolm Manners to Retire

Daniel CooperEducation

Malcolm Manners, Florida Southern College (FSC) professor of citrus science and coordinator of the citrus and horticultural science program, will soon retire after 44 years at the college. Manners’ fascination with plants and horticulture started at a young age. “My parents were always gardeners, and I’ve had an interest in plants my whole life,” he said. After earning a bachelor’s degree …

trade imbalance

Trade Imbalance Impacting Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperTrade

The citrus industry is not immune to the trade imbalance that is impacting the ag industry across the United States. From 2000 to 2013, the United States exported more citrus than it imported. However, the imbalance began in 2014 and worsened every year through 2023, equating to a deficit of 26 million boxes. The staggering statistics are reflective of the …

global

Global Orange and OJ Production Forecast

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Global orange production is forecast to decline in 2024–25 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), but orange juice (OJ) production is expected to increase. ORANGES Production of global oranges is forecast down 662,000 tons to 45.2 million tons. Higher production in Brazil is expected to be more than offset by lower crops in Egypt, Türkiye and …

Harvesting

Mechanical Harvesting Highlighted at Demo Citrus

Daniel CooperHarvesting, Technology

A citrus mechanical harvesting demonstration and a discussion of Brazilian citrus farming were among presentations at Demo Citrus 2025, held in Seville, Spain in late January. Harvest+ demonstrated a robot harvesting oranges. Harvest+ is a consortium of Fundecitrus, Move Agro and the Andalusian Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Organic Production in partnership with Pek Automotive. …

global

Positive Gains for Mexican Orange and OJ Production

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast that Mexican orange and orange juice (OJ) production will both increase slightly in 2024–25. ORANGES Orange production is forecast at 5.05 million metric tons (MMT), 2% more than the previous season. Mexico ranks fourth worldwide in the production of oranges with 10% of total production. It trails only Brazil, …

PGRs

Orange Production in Chile

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Orange production in Chile is projected to increase by 2.2% and total 190,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024–25, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report. The projected production increase is based on expected high yields and a 1.4% growth in area planted to 7,300 hectares. ACREAGE EXPANSION The area planted with oranges in Chile …

Turkish

Turkish Citrus Production to Plummet

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Production of all citrus varieties in Türkiye in 2024–25 is forecast to decline, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. ORANGES Orange production is projected to decline 30% from the prior year to 1.6 million metric tons (MMT). The decline is due to excessive hot weather conditions during the blooming period in spring 2024. Yield per …

China

China Has Changes in Orange and OJ Production

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

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 …