Argentina’s lemon production for 2025–26 is projected to remain steady at 1.9 million metric tons (MMT) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). That projection is supported by mild weather conditions throughout the growing cycle. Lemon production in 2024–25 was 1.91 MMT. IMPROVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES Over the past decade, the Argentine lemon sector has benefited from …
Turning Orange Peel Into Heart-Healthy Gold
For every gallon of Florida orange juice produced, nearly an equal amount of peel is left behind. Traditionally, this material has been used for cattle feed or compost. New research from Yu Wang and Hyun Jeong Jung at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center suggests a far more valuable use. …
Sneak Peek: January 2026 Citrus Industry
The annual Citrus State of the Industry Survey is back, and Part 1 of the results are in. The citrus section of the January issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine shares what growers have reported on this season’s grove conditions. The report includes information on crop quality, expected yield and oxytetracycline use. Readers can scan the QR code in the …
PIECES OF THE PAST: The Warmth of a Florida Christmas
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette There are Christmas memories that sparkle like tinsel and some that glow warm and steady, the way sunlight filters through a grove just after dawn. For many Florida families — mine included — Christmas has always smelled faintly of citrus and tasted of oranges fresh from the tree. Before the gifts were fancy and the stockings …
OJ Consumption Aids Heart Health
A recent study has shown that regular orange juice (OJ) consumption can influence the activity of thousands of genes inside immune cells. Many of these genes help control blood pressure, calm inflammation and manage the way the body processes sugar, all of which play an important role in long-term heart health. The study followed adults who drank 500 milliliters of …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: New University of Florida Varieties Introduced
By Peter Chaires In July, the Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc. (FFSP) advised the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) of eight newly released University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus varieties that may fall under F.S. 601.13 (4). This state statute provides the FCC with a first option to obtain …
Korean Citrus Byproducts Going to the Dogs
Korean manufacturer Suchang recently announced it has successfully developed a new dog food product using gamgyul-bak — byproducts from the Korean citrus processing industry. Tentatively branded Orange Dogs, the product is designed for global markets, with export plans targeting the United States, Japan, China and Europe. The key ingredient of Orange Dog, gamgyul-bak, refers to the peel and residual materials …
Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast Released
The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) has released its annual Northern Hemisphere citrus forecast for the 2025–26 season. The preliminary forecast is based on data from industry associations from the Mediterranean region and the United States. Citrus production for 2025–26 in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to decrease by 1.51% from the 2024–25 season, with a total of 27.397 million tons. …
Proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule to Provide Clarity
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army have announced a proposed rule that would define waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. EPA stated that the rule would protect America’s waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support farmers. According to EPA, the rule, when finalized, will cut red tape and …
Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Citrus Unlocked
Scientists at The University of Alabama (UA) have developed a bio-engineered molecule that uses a natural citrus compound to both target and treat inflammation. Naringenin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruit, has long been recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the human body does a poor job of absorbing the compound in the form of food or currently …
Sneak Peek: December 2025 Citrus Industry
As the end of the year approaches, now is a good time to look back at what has been learned about huanglongbing (HLB) disease over the last 20 years. In the Citrus Industry section of the December issue of Specialty Crop Grower, Michael Rogers, Citrus Research and Education Center director, provides a comprehensive review of the progress made in fighting …
USDA Amends Brix Standards to Align With FDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) is amending the U.S. Standards for grades of orange juice (OJ) by changing the limits for Grade B Brix allowances in pasteurized OJ (POJ). The change will align with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Standard of Identity (SOI) for POJ. The Brix allowances under the U.S. OJ standards are …
Surge in South African Citrus Exports
South African citrus growers packed 203.4 million 15-kilogram cartons for global markets in the 2025 export season. That’s a 19% increase from the original April estimate of 171.2 million cartons, and a 22% increase from 2024 exports. INCREASE IN ALL VARIETIES Final packed figures for 2025 are: GROWTH DRIVERS Driving the growth is a combination of favorable weather conditions in …
Florida Citrus Disease Updates
Plant pathologist Megan Dewdney on Nov. 20 presented updates on greasy spot, greasy-green, citrus black spot (CBS) and phytophthora brown rot. Dewdney is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor and Extension specialist at the Citrus Research and Education Center. GREASY SPOT AND GREASY-GREEN Dewdney reported that control measures for greasy spot, caused by the …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Blessed by a Citrus Family
By Brenda Eubank Burnette Thanksgiving, for me, has always been a time to pause and reflect — to look back with gratitude at the blessings that have shaped my life. Inevitably, that reflection leads to a few chuckles and a lot of “What if I hadn’t done this… met them… or listened to my mother?” You may laugh, but I …
Florida Farm Bureau Supports Amending OJ Standard
Florida Farm Bureau has submitted comments supporting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposal to amend the standard of identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice (POJ) by lowering the minimum soluble solids content from 10.5° to 10° Brix. The FDA proposed an amendment earlier this year in response to a 2021 Florida citrus industry petition. Following are some comments from …
Foreign Barriers to Florida Citrus
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently provided comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative as part of the annual review of foreign barriers to U.S. exports and investment. The FFVA letter noted injury to Florida citrus caused by low-priced imports from Mexico and the European Union’s use of scientifically unjustified, non-tariff trade barriers. Letter excerpts …
Using Pesticides Safely
By Mongi Zekri Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. A minimum score of 70% is required to receive credit. Pesticides should not be considered the first line of defense against …
Early-Season Export Report for Brazil
The first 90 days of the 2025–26 Brazilian citrus season confirmed adjustments in the export market for orange juice (OJ) and citrus byproducts. LOWER VOLUME AND REVENUE In spite of the tariff exemption on Brazilian OJ in the United States, the performance of exports from July to September was below that verified in the same period last season. According to …
Keeping the Momentum Going
Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently cited ways the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) has been helping keep momentum going for Florida citrus. During the Sept. 23–26 International Citrus and Beverage Conference, Marisa Zansler (FDOC director of economic and market research) gave a citrus outlook and marketing update to key stakeholders in the beverage market. The overarching message …





























