The Florida Citrus Commission has approved a US$23.4 million budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year as the state's citrus industry continues to recover from historically low production.
The commission, which oversees the Florida Department of Citrus, had expected an initial production forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2025–2026 growing season, but the estimate was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.
"Once the forecast is released, we will bring any adjustments to you for your approval," said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Department of Citrus. "Hopefully, those will be excess boxes."
The grower-funded "box tax" will remain unchanged: US$0.05 for fresh oranges, US$0.07 for grapefruit and specialty crops, and US$0.12 for processed oranges.
The budget anticipates 11.6 million 90-pound boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit, and 350,000 boxes of specialty fruit for the 2025–2026 season. The Department of Citrus also expects to collect box-tax revenue from imported oranges and grapefruit.
Lowest production in a century
During the 2024–2025 season, Florida growers harvested 12.15 million boxes of oranges, 1.3 million boxes of grapefruit, 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos, and 670,000 boxes of lemons. The total output was the lowest in more than a century, impacted by hurricane damage, citrus greening disease, and urban development, reducing grove area.
The state budget for the current fiscal year includes US$124.5 million to support recovery efforts, with US$100 million allocated for new disease-resistant trees, grove management, therapeutic tools, and tree rehabilitation.
Marisa Zansler, the department's director of economic and market research, said "early field observations" show new plantings to replace lost trees, with the commercial inventory down 24% from the previous year.
"The goal here is to start to see a reversal of this trend over time," Zansler said. "It may not happen this season or next season, but it will happen, especially as we see these great efforts into the replanting sector."
Marketing and outreach plans
The 2025–2026 budget includes allocations for marketing and research. Planned marketing initiatives may involve partnerships with six Major League Baseball teams during the 2026 spring training season, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.
Contract discussions are ongoing and could involve in-stadium promotions, digital signage, and other outreach to boost awareness of Florida citrus.
Source: CBS News
