Community Corner
State Funding For FL Citrus Intact As Orange Growers Hang On In Roller-Coaster Market
Florida's citrus industry, mostly producing oranges, is valued at more than $8 billion, according to the Department of Citrus.
By Laura Cassels
July 15, 2020
Florida’s beleaguered citrus industry, bolstered by renewed consumer interest in orange juice, had more good news this summer, when Gov. Ron DeSantis’ coronavirus-driven budget cuts left funds for citrus untouched.
Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The 2020-21 state budget allocates $24.8 to the Florida Department of Citrus, including $8 million for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, $7.4 million for the Citrus Health Response Program, and — most notably — $5 million in new funds requested by the Florida Department of Citrus for marketing
Florida’s citrus industry, mostly producing oranges, is valued at more than $8 billion, according to the Department of Citrus.
Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Florida Citrus Commission and trade groups that requested the state marketing funds hope increased advertising will help the industry convert a spike in OJ sales into long-term consumer buying patterns. Sales of OJ nationwide, which had dwindled for years, surged with the arrival of coronavirus as consumers suddenly returned to the Vitamin-C-loaded juice to bolster their immune systems.
Sales in the spring rose by 41 percent over the prior spring, according to the Florida Department of Citrus Economic and Market Research Department.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s July 10 crop report says Florida farmers grew by 68 million 90-pound boxes of oranges in 2019-20, as the USDA had projected, a slight decline from the year before.
Last year’s yield of 72 million boxes marked a dramatic rebound from the 2017-18 yield of only 45 million boxes, caused by losses during Hurricane Irma in 2017 and citrus greening disease that has afflicted orange trees since 2005. In their heyday, Florida orange groves produced roughly 240 million boxes yearly, according to the USDA.
Meanwhile, sales of lemons, grapefruit and specialty fruits plummeted this year, according to USDA reports, due to pandemic-driven shutdowns of their key markets: restaurants and schools. Trade groups in Florida, California, and Texas are seeking federal relief through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act.
This story was originally published by the Florida Phoenix. For more stories from the Florida Phoenix, visit FloridaPhoenix.com.
