Florida's citrus outlook remains bleak. But new science offers hope.

[Zorro]

The state’s orange yield has declined by 90% in the last three decades. In the last 10 years, grove land has halved.

Florida orange growers are bracing for yet another record-low harvest as climate challenges and diseased trees continue to cripple the once bustling industry.

The state is expected to produce 90% fewer oranges than it did 30 years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s January forecast.

It’s the latest in a series of hits to Florida’s signature crop. Last year, a major labor group representing growers shut down due to financial constraints. And this month, one of the state’s largest producers is getting out of citrus altogether, saying it is no longer “economically viable.”

Scientists have raced for over a decade against citrus greening, the incurable disease killing trees across the state. Research behind a genetically modified tree shows promise.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/01/27/floridas-citrus-outlook-remains-bleak-new-science-offers-hope/

Florida may soon have to change that "glass of Florida sunshine" catchphrase to something else...

Grove lands are being converted into crackerbox neighborhoods with five foot setbacks between homes. It ain't pretty.

[Bo Zarts]

1. "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot .."

"With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot." - Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell

[riversedge]

2. Florida most likely would not have the people to pick the oranges anyway.

[mike_c]

3. I drank a glass of fresh squeezed OJ with breakfast...

...from our own trees in Arizona. Our trees are quite old and hoary, and recent years' harvests have been erratic, but this winter we have a bumper crop. We have two freezers filled with juice already and only about half the fruit is harvested. We're trying to drink what we have in time to harvest and freeze the rest. Our oranges are mostly old, seedy varieties ideal for juicing.