Florida Citrus Production Rises Despite Harsh Weather Conditions
Florida's citrus industry is set to conclude the 2025-26 growing season with production figures surpassing initial estimates, despite facing a series of extreme weather events. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that orange production increased by approximately 5% compared to the 2024-25 season, while grapefruit production saw a 4% rise.
The season was marked by significant weather challenges, including an Arctic plunge early in the year and drought conditions not observed in over two decades. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the hard freezes in January resulted in an estimated $3 billion in damage to crops and infrastructure, affecting not just citrus but also strawberries, blueberries, and sugarcane.
Florida Citrus Mutual, the largest association of citrus growers in the state, acknowledged the role of research and innovation in driving production improvements, stating, "Research, innovation and the perseverance of growers continue to move Florida's citrus production in the right direction, despite impacts from this year’s historic freezes and continued recovery from citrus greening and hurricanes."
Despite the recent gains, Florida's citrus production remains near 100-year lows, with factors like hurricanes, disease, and urbanization contributing to the decline. The University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute highlights that citrus greening, first confirmed in the state in 2005, remains a significant challenge.
Historically, Florida's orange production exceeded 200 million boxes at the start of the 21st century, a stark contrast to the current figure of 12.92 million boxes. Meanwhile, California has overtaken Florida as the leading orange-producing state, aided by extensive irrigation systems that mitigate drought impacts.
State lawmakers have committed hundreds of millions of dollars for research and development to support the citrus industry, although it remains uncertain if these investments will reverse the long-term decline in production. The USDA plans to release the first outlook for the 2026-27 growing season in October, with peak harvesting typically occurring during the winter and spring months.
Experts note that the harvesting of navel oranges generally begins in late September, while Valencia oranges, primarily used for juice production, are not typically harvested until late December and into the new year.
