In a recent forecast of a challenging 2026–27 season for the global orange juice (OJ) market, Rabobank addresses the expected continued decline in OJ demand. Edited excerpts from the Rabobank report follow: Demand for OJ shows no signs of recovery. Although global frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) and not from concentrate (NFC) prices have been trending downward since early 2025, …
USDA Has ‘Unprecedented Staffing Crisis’
A new report by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Prospect Partners LLC declared there has been “an unprecedented staffing crisis” within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the past 16 months. Becky Schewe with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Bernie Kluger with Prospect Partners LLC authored the report. They obtained information for the report through a Freedom …
Hurricane Season Forecast Downgraded
Colorado State University (CSU) on June 10 reduced its 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season forecast and continues to anticipate a below-normal season. The June 10 forecast projects: According to CSU, warm neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions are likely to transition to El Niño shortly, with a high potential for a moderate/strong El Niño for the peak of hurricane season. Sea …
California Responds to Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is responding after invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) insects were found on shipments of grapevines sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 19. GWSS spreads the bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease, a fatal grapevine disease that threatens California vineyards. It can also damage citrus trees, landscape plants …
Benefits of Regularly Drinking OJ Differ by Body Weight
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) reported that a recent study suggests regular orange juice consumption may support heart health while improving blood pressure regulation, lipid metabolism and inflammation. However, benefits can differ from person to person based on body weight. This clinical intervention study examined how drinking orange juice every day affects the body at the molecular level and …
Biocontrol of Psyllids Is Successful in Cyprus
Classical biological control is having a very significant impact on populations of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in Cyprus, according to Ángel Marhuenda, director general of common agricultural policy for the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA). ACP is the vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Marhuenda said, however, that “the detection of residual populations of the vector indicates that continued …
Forecast for 2026–27 Global Orange Juice Supply
Rabobank recently forecast a challenging 2026–27 harvest year for the global orange juice (OJ) industry. It reported that while global supply is forecast to contract, the ongoing decline in OJ demand is likely to continue. As a result, global frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) prices are expected to struggle to recover sustainably. This article, focusing on OJ supply, consists of …
Agriculture Victories in Florida Budget
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on June 2 highlighted the major agriculture victories included in the Florida Legislature’s 2026–27 state budget. CITRUS INDUSTRY Florida’s citrus industry received $196 million to support research, cost-share for equipment and infrastructure improvements at citrus nurseries and packinghouses, and the production and increased availability of healthy citrus rootstock. “Florida’s citrus industry remains resilient because …
Boost Natural Defenses Against Psyllids in Summer
By Lukasz Stelinski As summer takes hold in June, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations are often high coinciding with availability of new flush. This is also a time when natural enemies can provide meaningful ACP suppression. Growers can improve biological control by making management decisions that help predators and parasitoids survive and function in the grove. MANAGE ANTS One important …
Take Advantage of Rising Temperatures to Treat for Fire Ants
Fire ants can quickly become a serious problem for landowners, producers, large-scale operations, and more. These aggressive invaders pose risks to livestock, people, equipment, and crops, building underground colonies that can thrive and expand if left unchecked. That’s why incorporating a spring fire ant treatment plan is key to sustaining control. Rising temperatures signal a seasonal shift, and an ideal …
Orange Juice: A Fruit or a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage?
A recent international nutrition symposium concluded that evidence supports classifying 100% fruit juice — including 100% orange juice — as a form of fruit rather than as a sugar-sweetened beverage. Unlike sugar-sweetened beverages, 100% orange juice contains naturally occurring sugars from the fruit itself, with no added sugar, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) noted in a summary of the …
Three Years of OTC Trunk Injection Provide Cumulative Benefits
By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina and Larissa Nunes According to a recent industry survey, 64% of Florida citrus growers have injected their trees for three consecutive years with oxytetracycline (OTC). This article reports the results from three research trials conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Physiology Team at the Southwest Florida Research …
What’s Next for CRAFT: A Q&A With Steven Hall
The Florida Legislature this year mandated the merger of two major Florida citrus research organizations: the Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) and the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). CRAFT Executive Director Steven Hall recently answered questions about the merger. Q: What are the steps and timeframe for the merger? A: The legislation requiring the merger specifies that …
Legislators Seek $3.5 Billion for Florida Freeze Assistance
U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody of Florida on June 2 introduced the Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act. Congressman Scott Franklin of Florida is leading the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This past winter, Florida’s agricultural producers faced consecutive weeks of subzero temperatures during the state’s peak citrus, berry and corn-growing season, amounting to more than $3 …
Public Support for Protection Against Ag Diseases
Southeastern residents increasingly support stronger protections against agricultural disease threats as concerns grow over food-system disruptions, say researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Findings from an August 2025 public interest survey distributed to 1,035 Southeast residents reflect growing public concern about how agricultural threats can affect food systems, public health and disaster preparedness. …
Orange Juice May Reduce Blood Sugar Spikes
Many people worry that orange juice can raise blood sugar quickly because it contains naturally occurring sugars. However, a new study suggests that 100% orange juice may affect blood sugar differently than sugary drinks that contain the same amount of sugar but lack the natural components found in oranges. A team of researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom compared …
FDOC Discusses How Best to Spend State Funds
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) met virtually on May 29 to allocate legislatively authorized state general revenue funds for Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing. The FCC, whose members are appointed by Florida’s governor, is the board that oversees the FDOC. After the FCC previously met on May 20, the Florida Legislature concluded its work on a budget that designates …
Leaf Quantity Matters for Fruit Quality
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Citrus fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the huanglongbing (HLB) era. These outcomes largely depend on the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the growing season. Leaf area and canopy density are positively correlated with carbohydrate production and allocation to fruit, directly influencing …
The Right Man for the Job
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Steven Hall is the right guy to run a single state-supported citrus research organization. He is an agriculturalist as well as an administrator and attorney. He is a sixth-generation Florida farmer who leads his family farming operation in Jackson County. Since Hall was appointed executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) …
High Costs Prohibit AI Adoption in Agriculture
Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture is not a foregone conclusion. Despite the technology’s perceived effectiveness in making crop production more efficient, the associated costs are still too high for farmers. “Right now, a lot of these technologies come with huge price tags for just the cost of purchasing the equipment,” said Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor with Cornell University. …





























