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.
