In a good year, Florida produces 240 million plus of 90-pound boxes of oranges, but this year, the state may only produce 44.5 million boxes. The orange shortage is due to a bacterial infection called citrus greening, an incurable disease that’s spread by an insect.
Why is Florida’s orange crop so small this year?
This year’s crop is tiny for a few reasons, but one of the biggest is a bacterial infection called citrus greening, which causes the fruit to be smaller and more bitter.
Why is Florida orange production down?
The state’s crop is down more than 75 percent from its peak, according to Florida Citrus Mutual. Florida has lost 50 percent of its growers because of consolidation, land development and growers just quitting the business. “Greening is the most difficult disease to ever impact citrus,” Sparks said.
Why are there no Florida oranges?
On average, the state ships out over 240 million 90-pound boxes of the fruit each year. This year, Florida is estimated to yield 44.5 million boxes. What’s the reason behind the shortage? Citrus greening, a bacterial infection caused by insects, is apparently running rampant—and it cannot be stopped.
Why is there a shortage of oranges?
Experts say a lack of citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, and oranges, may be a reality consumers should start getting used to. Heat waves, cold freezes, and droughts in countries where citrus is grown have affected production and led to a decline in the amount of fruit available.
What happened to Florida’s Natural orange juice?
Unfortunately, the Florida orange crop has been declining for decades while our fans continue to buy more and more Florida’s Natural orange juice. The Florida orange crop can no longer meet our consumer demand, so we are adding in only the best Mexican Valencia orange juice.
How is the orange crop this year?
USDA forecasters’ updated estimate shows orange production up 5% from April, Valencia increasing 10%. That boosts the total all-orange estimate to now 40.2 million boxes (18.2 million boxes of non-Valencia + 22 million boxes of Valencia).
Is there a OJ shortage?
By the middle of the 2021–22 Florida citrus season, it was apparent that demand for OJ at retail would settle near 2019 pre-pandemic levels. In addition to supply chain/logistical issues and high inflation, the shortage in OJ production and supply was yet another factor contributing to higher prices of OJ at retail.
Did Florida oranges freeze?
Over the years, other freezes have strongly impacted this area’s fruits and vegetables. In 1957-58, two severe cold snaps less than a month apart damaged fruits and vegetables throughout this region. Local temperatures of 27 in December and 24 in early January froze oranges on the trees and tomatoes in many fields.
Why has the price of oranges gone up?
While the low citrus yield is unrelated to the pandemic, the spread of the coronavirus has also caused the cost of labor, transportation, fertilizer, seeds and other key agriculture inputs to rise.
Why are orange trees dying in Florida?
Citrus greening is a bacterial disease carried and spread by an Asian insect that kills both fruit and trees, dealing Florida’s signature crop a devastating blow.
What happened to the citrus industry in Florida?
Despite an increased demand for orange juice at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the industry has been on a downward projection for nearly two decades because of residential and commercial development, foreign imports, changes in beverage-consumption habits and, since 2005, an incurable bacterial disease known as
Where are all the oranges in Florida?
Much of the oranges in Florida are grown in the southern two-thirds of the Florida peninsula, where there is low probability for a freeze.
Are Florida or California oranges better?
Oranges in Florida are comparatively sweeter and juicier than their California counterparts. On the other hand, California oranges tend to maintain freshness longer due to their thicker peels.
Are Florida oranges different?
Is there a difference at all? A navel orange from Florida has to be the same as a navel from California. Right? Well, even though many of the fruits are genetically identical, the climate changes the fruit far more than you’d expect.
Where does Florida Natural get their oranges?
Florida’s Natural Growers (stylized “Florida✾s Natural”) is an agricultural cooperative based in Lake Wales, Florida. It is currently owned by over 1,100 grower members. It was the only national orange juice maker that uses only US-grown fruit (grown by its cooperative members in Florida) in its products.
What company owns Florida Natural orange juice?
Citrus World, Inc.
Citrus World, Inc.‘s portfolio of products includes the cooperative’s flagship brand, Florida’s Natural, as well as many other trusted juice brands. Citrus World is proud of its long relationship with the Walt Disney Company as its licensee of their Donald Duck Brand since 1941.
Where do they make Florida orange juice?
Southern Gardens Citrus
Located in Clewiston, Southern Gardens produces natural, 100% juice for both popular brands and private labels. Growing and processing its own oranges, Southern Gardens can produce up to 90 million gallons annually, making it one of the largest suppliers of pure Florida orange juice nationwide.
What year did the oranges freeze in Florida?
“It was a huge change to this county.” Today, only about 10,000 acres of citrus remain in Lake, once the second-largest citrus-growing county in Florida. Residents across Central Florida also felt the effects of the 1989 freeze, which caused rolling power outages and treacherous traffic conditions.
Do they still grow oranges in Florida?
Florida growers produce several types of citrus, including oranges, grapefruit and specialty fruit including Temple oranges, tangerines and tangelos.
Why are stores out of orange juice?
Demand grows
Prior to the pandemic, “US demand for orange juice had been down for 20 years straight,” said Hackett. That’s partially because consumers’ changing ideas of health have made fruit juice, which is relatively high in sugar and calories, unfashionable.