Worldwide Citrus Production Down in All Categories

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently estimated that world citrus production is down for oranges, mandarins, orange juice (OJ), grapefruit and lemons/limes. For all categories, production will be lower in 2022–23 than in the prior year. OJGlobal OJ production for 2022–23 is estimated 9% lower to 1.5 million metric tons (MMT). Production is down due …

Doubling Down on CRISPR Research

Josh McGillBreeding

By Michael E. Rogers We have all been waiting (and waiting some more) for new varieties to be developed that are resistant to HLB. Ten years ago, researchers thought they were really close to having new HLB-resistant varieties developed using gene-editing CRISPR technology. But as science goes, the story was much more complicated than first believed. A single edit to …

The Benefits of Growing Citrus on UV-Metalized Reflective Mulch

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

By Jawwad Qureshi, Lauren Diepenbrock and Davie Kadyampakeni Protecting citrus trees from the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is critical to reducing the spread and severity of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. ACP, the vector of the pathogen responsible for causing HLB in citrus, needs young shoots to develop and reproduce. The frequent availability of viable shoots in young trees …

Telling the World About Florida Citrus

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

A delegation from Japan’s Yamano & Associates recently visited Florida to meet with exporters and get an inside look at the future of the Florida citrus industry. That visit led Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson to write the following commentary about the importance of Florida citrus worldwide:  The company (Yamano) has been the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) …

sales

European Union OJ Production to Fall

Josh McGillInternational, Orange Juice

European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production in 2022–23 is forecast at 64,421 metric tons (MT), down 20% from the previous season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. The volume of oranges destined for processing depends on overall orange production as well as the quality and size of the fruit destined for the fresh markets …

orange market

Origin of Oranges Can Be Determined

Josh McGillInternational

A Citrus Australia study has used trace elements or isotopes to determine if an orange originated in Australia as opposed to another country. Using the same techniques, researchers can differentiate place of origin of Australian oranges into one of the five Australian growing regions. The first-of-its-kind study was conducted through an Agriculture Victoria Food to Market program. Citrus Australia noted …

export

Brazilian OJ Exports to United States Surge

Josh McGillBrazil, Orange Juice

Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of orange juice (OJ) and accounts for nearly 80% of the OJ marketed in the world. For every five cups of orange juice consumed, almost four are produced in Brazil. According to the Institute of Agricultural Economics, in the first four months of the year, São Paulo exported $682 million in juice, of which …

Tau Fruit Fly

First Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine in Western Hemisphere

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

A portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine for the Tau fruit fly (Zeugodacus tau group) following the detection of more than 20 flies in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch, near the city of Santa Clarita. The fly has a very wide host range, including numerous citrus varieties as well as a select range of native …

Japanese Agency Tours Florida Citrus Industry

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Grapefruit, International

Yamano & Associates, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) partner agency in Japan for over 40 years, recently concluded an educational tour in Florida, continuing its efforts to explore and engage with key individuals in the Florida citrus industry. The two-day tour provided the agency with a unique opportunity to closely observe the operations and processes involved in the Florida citrus …

Fruit Quality Evaluations for Georgia Citrus Varieties

Josh McGillGeorgia, Varieties

Characteristics of 30 varieties and 45 variety/rootstock combinations were reported in Evaluating Fruit Quality of Citrus Varieties in Georgia, 2021-22. Jacob Price, county Extension coordinator for Lowndes County and Extension citrus specialist with University of Georgia (UGA) Extension, authored the report. Price noted that most groves in Georgia were planted after 2014. Initially, satsuma mandarins (Citrus unshiu) on trifoliate rootstocks …

South Africa Lemon/Lime Production to Shrink

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International, lemons, Limes

Fresh lemon/lime production in South Africa is forecast to shrink by 13% to 653,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022–23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported recently. In the prior season, the country produced a record 748,000 MT. The yield reduction this year is due to hailstorm damage in the Eastern Cape in November 2022. PLANTINGS …

production

Turkey Citrus Forecasts See Some Declines

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

Lemon and grapefruit crops will be smaller than the previous year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) stated in a recent report on Turkey citrus. The country’s orange juice (OJ) production is forecast to stay the same. LEMONSTurkey’s 2022–23 fresh lemon production forecast is 1.32 million metric tons (MMT), 11% lower than the previous season. The …

Accelerating Citrus Breeding Efforts

Josh McGillBreeding

By John M. Chater Professors Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter have been breeding improved citrus varieties at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for decades. Over time, they have released several of their advanced selections. Many of these selections are sweet oranges. There is a subset of these creations …

Nutrition and Irrigation Role Reinforced for HLB Trees

Josh McGillIrrigation, Nutrition

In a virtual seminar for growers on July 19, Davie Kadyampakeni reinforced that optimal, balanced nutrition and frequent irrigation can improve HLB-affected citrus trees, yield and fruit. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. NUTRITION“Citrus fruit yields, juice quality and canopy size …

World Citrus Organisation Gains First Mexican Member

Josh McGillInternational

Citrojugo in June became the first Mexican member of the World Citrus Organisation (WCO). Citrojugo, based in Tecomán, is a producer, processor and marketer of acid citrus-based juices, essential oils and dried peels. WCO is a global platform for dialogue and action that brings together citrus-producing countries. The group includes more than 40 other associations, companies and members that work …

alico

CRAFT Reopens Existing Tree Therapies Program

Josh McGillCRAFT, planting

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has reopened the application window for its Existing Tree Therapies Program. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 31. Participants will be selected through a random lottery, administered by a third-party entity. The program is designed to provide the industry with a better understanding of the best use patterns, combinations …

Citrus Breeding Efforts to Solve the Brix Crisis

Josh McGillRootstocks, Varieties

By Jude Grosser, Maria Brenelli, Ling Liu, Yu Wang and Fred Gmitter The combination of HLB and hurricane Ian have made this a disastrous year for Florida citrus, drastically reducing the quantity and quality of processing oranges. Brix values are the lowest in history. Early-season Hamlin juice with inferior quality is generally blended with late-season Valencia to achieve the target …

Less Citrus Production in Morocco

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

Production of all citrus varieties in Morocco will decline in 2022–23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) confirmed in a recent report. The report includes an update on the area planted for each variety and the expected volume of exports. Morocco does not import fresh citrus. TANGERINES/MANDARINS Fresh tangerine/mandarin production is projected at 927,000 metric tons …

Citrus Commission Chairman: Marketing Programs Work

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently shared his thoughts on the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) marketing programs. “As the budget has decreased over the past couple of years, and into next year, the FCC has placed a stronger emphasis on the need for the FDOC to utilize data to track their programs,” said Johnson. “Performance has played …