California is stepping in to help Florida’s citrus crop

Florida citrus growers have had their share of challenges, from disease to hurricanes. However, industry leaders are now turning to California to help bridge the gap.

“California has been serving a role in helping to continue to provide this really premium quality fresh, not from concentrate juice for some of our premium brands that we find in Florida and helping to keep that market access open,” said Dr. Maria Zansler, Director of Economic and Market Research with the Florida Department of Citrus.

Zansler says there are big profits to be had with citrus, adding California growers could boost their bottom lines by selling their fruit for juice.

“The leading sources of orange juice that Florida processors are receiving in the middle of Florida’s challenging supply issues are from Brazil and Mexico by and large, but there are these niche markets in California that can help supply that, and certainly as we’re working to shore up our production once again following terrible hurricane events, that is helping to keep that market supply going.”

Right now, the top orange on the market is valencia, but there is a slight decline. Zansler adds navel oranges are also put into “not from concentrate” juice as well.

Related Stories
The German company Constellr is part of the John Deere Start-Up Collaborator Program in 2024. It plans to launch a geothermal satellite next year that will give farmers and ranchers better tools to monitor surface temperature from space.
Meet FarmHER Debra Lockard, a third-generation Tennessee produce grower who splits her time running two farms in West Tennessee and teaching ag classes that promote sustainable farming practices in her Memphis community.
FarmHER Kate Hitchcock joined us on the Market Day Report to discuss the upcoming episode of the show where Kirbe and the crew visit her family’s produce operation in California’s Salinas Valley, which premieres tomorrow, Sept. 24 at 9 PM ET only on RFD-TV.
The FarmHER crew catches up with fifth-generation California sweet baby broccoli producer Kate Hitchcock and her team in the middle of the harvest season in the Salinas Valley.
Kentucky Flower FarmHER Janet Dennison’s retirement project flourished into a thriving business, Mammoth Cave Transplants, in Kentucky. Learn about it and the beautiful ornamental plants she grows in this new episode of FarmHER.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

UNL Animal Science Ph.D candidate Anna Kobza joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share her agriculture story and tips for other producers hoping to share their ag stories online or with the media.
Herd rebuilding looks slow, keeping cattle prices supported; beef-on-dairy crosses help fill feedlots, while imports temper—but don’t erase—tightness.
China is making strategic moves by purchasing more soybeans from Argentina and may soon follow the EU and reopen its market to Brazilian chicken exports.
Lamb prices have seen a surprising surge driven by a tight supply and increasing demand in non-traditional markets.
Farmers should watch for soybean export rebounds with harvest, while corn and wheat shipments remain strong and sorghum demand struggles.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.