Citrus growers in Florida have urged lawmakers to maintain funding for research and marketing to support an industry that has experienced a drastic decline in production, dropping over 90% in less than thirty years. The Florida Citrus Mutual CEO, Matt Joyner, emphasized the importance of research funding to combat citrus greening disease during a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting. Joyner stated, "Losing the citrus industry is not an option." Concurrently, Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Department of Citrus, highlighted the necessity of marketing funds, quoting Henry Ford, "Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping a clock to save time."
Research, particularly at the University of Florida, aims to develop citrus trees resistant to greening, a disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. Florida's citrus industry, once producing 244 million boxes of oranges and 50 million boxes of grapefruit in 1998, is now projected by the USDA to produce only 12 million boxes of oranges and 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit this season. The industry has also been challenged by urban development, hurricanes, and freezes.
Recently, Alico Inc. announced its exit from citrus farming, citing environmental and economic challenges, which will reduce Florida's citrus acreage by approximately 12%. The current state budget allocates over $47 million to the citrus sector, including $29 million for research and $9 million for marketing. Governor Ron DeSantis' budget proposal for 2025-2026 suggests $20 million for research and health programs. Senate Agriculture Chairman Keith Truenow and Sen. Colleen Burton expressed concerns about property tax assessments and the need to support growers through challenging times.
Source: News4Jax