U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz from Texas has called for inclusion of a water treaty with Mexico to be included in the upcoming United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). De La Cruz advocated for inclusion of the 1944 Water Treaty in a public comment letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer to ensure Mexico complies with its obligated water deliveries. Learn …
Officials Urged to Include Specialty Crops in Aid Program
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) and two groups of U.S. representatives recently urged federal officials to include specialty crop producers in any new federal economic assistance program for agriculture. The SCFBA, co-chaired by Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner, addressed the issue in a letter to President Donald Trump. “Although our growers are experiencing similar economic …
Private Food-Safety Standards Raise Concerns
The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) recently raised concerns about the growing trend of private food-safety standards imposed by retailers. The WCO warned that these non-scientific requirements threaten the sustainability of the citrus industry, jeopardize farmers’ livelihoods and may ultimately reduce supply to consumer markets. The WCO concerns focus primarily on plant protection products and maximum residue levels that exceed national …
California Medfly and Oriental Fruit Fly Updates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in September took quarantine actions regarding Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) and Oriental fruit fly (OFF) in California. MEDFLY On Sept. 15, APHIS and CDFA expanded the Santa Clara Medfly quarantine in Santa Clara County. The action was in response …
Financial Conference Covers Tariffs and Economic Outlook
The Florida Agricultural Financial Management Conference returned Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 after several years of hiatus. The event was held at the Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. Speakers covered topics including measuring financial performance, risk management, optimizing business operations and cybersecurity. Ed Seifried, professor emeritus of economics and business at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, was a featured speaker. …
Spain’s Citrus Production to Hit 16-Year Low
Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has forecast national citrus production of 5.44 million tons for the 2025–26 season, which began Sept. 1. That’s 10.7% lower than last season’s production and the lowest production level in the last 16 years. The decline is mainly due to: Oranges, small citrus fruit and lemons are expected to see significant declines, while …
Revised Standards for U.S. Lemons Proposed
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) is seeking public comments on its proposal to revise the U.S. standards for lemons. SEEDLESS DEFINITION USDA AMS proposes amending the standards to add a definition for the term “seedless lemons.” This new definition would not be applied to affect grade. The proposed definition is: “When marked ‘seedless,’ a 100-count …
PIECES OF THE PAST: True Blue Goose
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette James S. Crutchfield came into the world on a summer day — July 3, 1874 — in the small farming town of Goshen, Kentucky. His folks, Albert and Hatta, worked the land, and that country know-how ran deep in Crutchfield from the start. He got his schooling in Louisville, then set his sights on Florida in …
Texas Mexfly Quarantine Update
Federal and Texas agriculture officials amended the Brownsville Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Cameron County and removed the Edinburg Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) made the amendments. On Aug. 22, APHIS and TDA reduced the Brownsville quarantine by 67 square …
New Medfly Quarantine in California
A portion of Santa Clara County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) following the detection of two wild female flies in the city of San José. If not stopped, Medflies can devastate fruits and vegetables by reproducing and leaving larvae in produce. The invasive flies can then spread to other regions. A quarantine is a …
Hawaii Ready to Export Lemons and Limes
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) are opening new markets for America’s fruit growers. In Hawaii, Lisbon lemons and Persian or Tahiti limes, both commercially popular cultivars, are new crops recently planted on the rich-soil island of Maui. Currently, the fruit is being sold locally, but harvest volumes may eventually surpass local demand. Export from Hawaii …
Highlights From California Ag’s Trip to Brazil
A recent Citrus Industry article reported on Brazil’s Fundecitrus hosting a delegation of agriculture leaders from California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) also reported on the trip, which included other venues in addition to Fundecitrus. Highlights from the CDFA report follow. During the trip to Brazil, the California delegation visited farms, packinghouses, research facilities and business incubators …
Strong Growth for Global OJ Market Projected
The global orange juice (OJ) market is anticipated to expand from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion by 2034, according to a Global Insight Services report. According to the report, global OJ volume, estimated at 1.7 million metric tons in 2024, is forecast to reach 2.1 million metric tons by 2028. The OJ market is witnessing dynamic growth, primarily …
UF/IFAS To Share the Latest Research at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth There are many aspects to research from start to finish, but it’s the time in between that can be most intriguing and exciting. Each year, the UF/IFAS Citrus Team brings the latest research to the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The Aug. 20–21 trade show at the Florida State Fairgrounds will be your …
Changes to Texas Mexfly Quarantines
The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in July made several changes regarding Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in Texas. They amended the Harlingen-Sebastian quarantine in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties and the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine in Hidalgo County. In addition, the Sullivan City quarantine in Hidalgo County …
New Resource for Citrus Exporters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) launched a new resource to support American farmers’ access to international trade opportunities. Maximum Residue Limit Quick Reference Sheets provide information about pesticide residue requirements in major export markets for U.S. producers and shippers of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops. USDA FAS developed the MRL Quick Reference Sheets in partnership …
All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2025
The July All In For Citrus podcast episode focuses on the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Micheal Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, previews a new, special educational session on alternative crops. Rogers …
U.S. Tariff Threatens South African Citrus
A newly announced 30% tariff on South African citrus exports to the United States, set to take effect Aug. 1, has drawn sharp backlash from agricultural stakeholders and trade experts. As part of a broader enforcement action targeting 14 countries, this move places South Africa in a precarious economic position — despite its historically open trade relationship with the United …
Snail Poses Threat to Australian Citrus
The Bulimulus sporadicus snail that has caused serious issues in Florida citrus groves by blocking sprinkler jets and drip emitters has been detected in Australia. Staff working at an Approved Arrangement (AA) site at the Port of Brisbane recently reported a suspected detection of B. sporadicus, also known as B. bonariensis, ghost snail or peanut snail. Following the AA report, …
One Big Beautiful Bill a Win for Florida Farmers
President Trump on July 4 signed into law One Big Beautiful Bill, a budget and tax package with major implications for agriculture. For Florida farmers, ranchers and rural communities, the bill delivers meaningful wins across the board, Florida Farm Bureau stated. The wins include long-term funding for the Farm Bill, pro-growth tax relief and reforms to federal nutrition programs that …





























