The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) have been advocating in Tallahassee for the citrus industry, which contributes $6.9 billion annually to Florida's economy. Following the USDA Citrus Crop Forecast, media attention has highlighted the industry's decline since its peak in the mid-1990s to early 2000s. Despite this, the industry is actively addressing challenges, with growers replanting 3.7 million trees across 20,000 acres since 2021. High-density plantings are a key strategy, allowing more trees on less land.
FDOC and FCM are pushing for legislative support to plant greening-tolerant trees, advance promising research, and maintain demand for Florida citrus products. During a Senate Committee Meeting on February 4, FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp and FCM Executive Vice President & CEO Matt Joyner emphasized the industry's efforts against citrus greening, which has been a global issue for over a century. They outlined a multi-layered approach to combat the disease, including developing resistant trees, treating existing trees, and using protective screens (CUPS).
Marketing remains essential for industry recovery, as modern consumers encounter up to 10,000 messages daily. Mrs. Shepp referenced Henry Ford, stating, "Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time." As the FDOC and FCM continue their advocacy, growers are encouraged to utilize available resources and watch for five new citrus varieties from 22 nurseries through the 2024-25 Program for Expedited Propagation.
Source: Florida Citrus