packers

Packers Propose Using More FDOC Money To Market Fresh Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The Florida Citrus Packers (Packers) trade association has asked the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) to consider utilizing more of its Florida general revenue marketing dollars to promote fresh citrus from Florida. The request was made in an April 17 letter. The association, which represents packers of fresh Florida citrus, asked the FDOC to recognize that a greater percentage of …

crop

Cold-Hardy Citrus Crop Looks ‘Loaded’ for Upcoming Season

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Production

While still early in the production season, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are optimistic for a bumper crop this year. That optimism comes despite a mid-March freeze and prolonged drought that impacted all of the Southeast but was especially dire in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, discussed the …

citrus

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: As the Postfreeze Dust Settles …

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, freeze

Icy trees from the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm in Groveland during the recent Florida freezePhotos courtesy of Lennon Grove Service By Peter Chaires Emerging from the 2025 hurricane season unscathed, there was a newfound optimism in the air for Florida citrus growers. Trees were upright, fruit was on the tree, and incremental quality improvements were being reported. The industry collectively …

assessment rate

Change in Citrus Administrative Committee Assessment Rate

Daniel CooperFresh, Regulation

The Citrus Administrative Committee’s (CAC) assessment rate for fresh citrus has been increased to 2.5 cents per 4/5 bushel carton or equivalent of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida. The prior assessment rate was 2 cents. The assessment increase was announced on April 29, 2026, in the Federal Register as a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service …

soil amendments

Soil Amendments Improve Water Use in HLB-Affected Citrus

Daniel CooperIrrigation, soil, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth and Taylor Livingston Florida is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in the past 25 years, putting HLB-affected trees under intense water stress. With Florida’s well-draining sandy soils and increased water demand in HLB-affected trees, growers are in a difficult position trying to maintain adequate tree hydration. Soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can …

crop expo

New Location and Format for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo makes its return to Fort Myers on Aug. 12–13 at the waterfront Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The Luminary Hotel, the event’s host hotel, is conveniently connected to the convention center. ENJOY YOUR STAY The new venue offers several opportunities to refresh and improve the Expo. The convention center will allow educational seminars to …

citrus breeding

Funding Expanded for California Citrus Breeding

Daniel CooperBreeding, California Corner

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations has included additional funds in the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. It is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding, on top of the $1.5 million previously granted, to expand the program into California. If approved, the program …

South Africa

South Africa Maintains Middle East Citrus Supply

Daniel CooperExport, International

South Africa’s citrus season is rapidly gaining momentum, with fruit now beginning to flow steadily to markets in the Middle East. The current pressures on exporters of citrus are confined to marginally longer transit times and higher shipping costs, but there is no material diversion of South African citrus volumes to alternative markets away from the Middle East. “Early consignments …

Southern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast Issued

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) released production and export forecasts for the 2026 Southern Hemisphere citrus season. The forecasts are based on information from the WCO network in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. ALL CITRUS Total Southern Hemisphere citrus production is expected to decrease 5.86% from the previous year to 26.4 million tons. Exports, however, …

Hancock

Hancock To Be Honored With the 2026 Citrus Achievement Award

Daniel CooperAwards

AgNet Media, publisher of Specialty Crop Grower magazine, is pleased to announce that Ned Hancock has been selected as the 2026 Citrus Achievement Award winner. Hancock and his family have been involved in the Florida citrus industry for generations.  Hancock has dedicated countless hours serving in leadership roles for numerous citrus associations, including Florida Citrus Mutual’s board of directors. He …

projects

Citrus Projects Funded by Plant Protection Act

Daniel CooperPests, Research, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $90 million under Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act to support 441 projects that will: Of the 441 projects, 421 fall under the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program and 20 support the National Clean Plant Network. USDA will reserve approximately $17.2 million to support rapid …

China

South Africa Set To Boost Citrus Exports to China

Daniel CooperExport, International

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture and the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) announced the amendment of the plant health protocol governing the export of South African citrus to China. The amended protocol introduces additional phytosanitary pest risk mitigation treatment options, reflecting a science-based and risk-managed approach to plant health compliance. The outcome, based on scientific outputs from Citrus …

May

Sneak Peak: May 2026 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

The Citrus Industry section in the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine highlights evolving strategies designed to sustain long-term citrus productivity. A key theme is industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing, underscored by the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Fort Myers, previewed in this issue. The event’s new venue and integrated format aim to foster deeper engagement between growers, …

California

California Citrus: Grower and Consumer Perspective

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner

Jesse Silva, vice president of sales at California’s Kings River Packing, recently discussed the spring and summer citrus season from a grower and consumer and perspective on the AgNet West Radio Network. His observations follow. GROWING CONDITIONS AND COSTS This year’s warmer growing conditions have created both challenges and opportunities. Larger fruit sizes and softer textures require careful handling, but …

eggs

Three Bugs That Eat Asian Citrus Psyllid Eggs

Daniel CooperBiologicals, HLB Management, Psyllids

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found three commercially available insect species that devour the eggs of the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid. These natural predators could become an important new line of defense against the devastating citrus disease. This is particularly true for organic growers who have limited options to control the psyllid, said …

mood

Study Shows How Citrus Volatiles Influence Mood

Daniel CooperInternational, Research

A recent study shows how citrus volatiles influence mood, highlighting their potential application in functional foods and nutraceutical applications. The introduction to an article in Food Quality and Safety about the study states that mood food refers to foods that enhance mental health. Among these, the widely favored citrus aromas evoke emotions such as pleasure, relaxation and alertness, thereby influencing …

June

All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2026

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, Events

In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted its annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park. The event is the subject of discussion in the April All In For Citrus podcast episode. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), says the Institute is among the big three citrus …

expanded

California Citrus Greening Quarantine Expanded

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have expanded the area quarantined for citrus greening in California. APHIS established a new quarantined area in the Ramona area of San Diego County of 93 square miles. The agency also expanded the quarantined area in …