Southwest Florida is now the number one producer of citrus in Florida. Polk County used to be the largest citrus producing area in the state for more than 20 years, but growers were unable to afford the cost of treating citrus greening because the operations are on a much smaller scale than Gulf growers.
"It's kinda like a heart attack when your arteries get full and clogged, it's kinda the same concept," said Bobby Smits, manager of South Naples Citrus Grove.
With the cost of treating one acre at upwards of $1,500, it would cost about $200,000 to treat 120 acres.
"That is one expensive kinda treatment," said Michael Alderman, of Lehigh Acres.
"It's quite ridiculous in my opinion considering how important it is for Florida and citrus," added Devin Counts, also of Lehigh Acres.
The focus is now on Southwest Florida as season begins in November.
Some growers are expecting a healthy harvest.
"If the quality is that much better and the taste is that much better in Southwest Florida, if they start to get wind of that, then they'd be more apt to buy from growers in Southwest Florida," said Smits.
Source: nbc-2.com
