Florida citrus growers see increased demand in organic
The majority of Florida citrus growers rely on conventional methods to grow their crop; however, they are experiencing initiative to turn organic. “There is a higher demand from consumers for organic fruit,” states Tom Witt from Spyke’s Grove. “Since we don’t import any products, we would grow them ourselves.”
In their five acre farm Spyke’s Groves grows a large variety of tropical fruit trees including oranges and mangos. With an average yield this year due to excessive rain, Spyke’s Grove, like many citrus growers, only export locally within the state of Florida. “If we do export further, it’s into the United States, or the Bahamas.”
Topping the export list this year is mangos. “It’s the fruit most in customer demand.”