Florida experienced one of the most damaging freezes in more than a decade this winter. The February episode of the All In For Citrus podcast addresses the impacts the freeze had on citrus. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, notes that it will take some time …
Young Georgia Citrus Trees Look ‘Dicey’ Following Freeze
Georgia’s young citrus trees appear to have endured more impact from the recent freeze event than older, mature trees. That’s an initial assessment made by Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. “I’m still getting reports, and we’re just starting our evaluation, but we’ve got a lot of leaf drop and leaf burn. There is …
What’s New at the Georgia Citrus Association Annual Conference
The Georgia Citrus Association’s (GCA) annual conference is less than a week away. Georgia growers are encouraged to attend the Feb. 24 meeting and learn about various trends impacting the industry in the cold-hardy citrus region. The event takes place at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member …
Postfreeze Recovery Recommendations for Citrus Trees
Florida citrus growers hoping to expedite the recovery process for trees impacted by the late January/early February freeze event should pump the brakes and wait — at least until spring. That advice is from Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). He shared tree recovery recommendations with growers during …
Florida Citrus Show To Feature CRAFT Insights
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has been a lifeline to Florida’s citrus industry in the battle against HLB. CRAFT’s programs provide incentives for new plantings and existing tree therapies in exchange for growers submitting data for those projects. In 2025, CRAFT received more than $100 million dollars from the state legislature to fund more cycles of the …
Citrus Achievement Award Call for Nominations
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 Grown With Renewable Energy
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 and Fundecitrus Collaborate on HLB Solutions
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 …
Study Highlights Soil pH Role in Citrus Tree Health
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 …
New Research Center in Brazil to Seek Citrus Greening Solutions
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 …
See the Seminar Program for the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is just a month 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 seminar program offers a wealth of educational opportunities, and …
Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo to Offer an Enhanced Experience
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, set for Aug. 12–13. The event is returning with several upgrades designed to improve the experience for citrus and specialty crop growers, exhibitors and industry partners. EXCEPTIONAL LOCATION The 2026 Expo is relocating back to Fort Myers, Florida, but at a new location. The event will be held at …
Chilean Citrus Production Forecast
Chilean production of lemons, oranges and tangerines/mandarins are all forecast to increase in 2025–26 from the prior year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. LEMONS Lemon production is forecast to increase 4.4% from the prior year to 237,000 metric tons (MT). The increase is driven by expanded planted area and the crop’s profitability. The area …
Consumer Trends, Dietary Guidelines and Florida Citrus Marketing
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) global marketing team recently provided an update on consumer trends, dietary guidelines and FDOC marketing programs. CAUTIOUS CONSUMERS The team reported that consumer sentiment is stuck at historic lows, producing a cautious and concerned U.S. consumer. That has resulted in what the team called the “uncommitted shopper.” Essentially, shopping began to shift in 2025 …
Georgia Citrus Grower Optimistic After Freeze
A South Georgia citrus producer is upbeat after last weekend’s winter storm, which brought plunging temperatures and blistery wind conditions, threatened his grove. Jaime Patrick of Patrick Farms in Omega admitted it would still be a few days before he had a clearer view of the overall impact from the freeze. But he is optimistic. “It’s going to take us …
Elevate Your Knowledge at the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show has an excellent day of education and networking planned for citrus and specialty crop growers. One of the most timely talks will cover post-freeze production considerations for citrus growers. Learn what Extension resources are available to growers to assist in their recovery efforts. Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been a lifeline to growers …
Florida Citrus Growers Urged to Wait on Postfreeze Tree-Recovery Process
Florida citrus growers eager to expedite the recovery process for trees impacted by last weekend’s frigid temperatures need to wait. That is the message that Flavia Zambon, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the Indian River Research and Education Center, emphasized to the state’s citrus growers. Zambon was part of a virtual question-and-answer …
Moroccan Citrus Production to Increase
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently projected that production of all citrus varieties in Morocco will increase in 2025–26 compared to the prior year. TANGERINES/MANDARINS Morocco’s tangerine and mandarin production is forecast to reach 1.15 million metric tons, up 4% from the previous season. The area planted in tangerines and mandarins is 59,115 hectares. Tangerine/mandarin …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Damage Expected From Incoming Freeze
Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region have already experienced severe cold weather in 2026. If forecasts come to fruition this weekend, freezing temperatures will make things worse. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the impact of recent sub-freezing temperatures that citrus in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama has been subjected to. …
Sneak Peek: February 2026 Citrus Industry
The February issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features Part 2 of results from the Citrus State of the Industry Survey. Florida growers reveal details on their planting intentions. Find out what varieties and rootstocks they’re selecting, what percent are growing citrus under protective screen, and other insights. In the digital edition of the magazine, readers can find bonus coverage …





























