TALLAHASSEE — Citrus experts addressed the Florida Senate in Tallahassee Tuesday to discuss the current state, and future, of their industry.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture met Tuesday in Tallahassee

  • As part of the meeting, members of Florida's citrus industry discussed the challenges they are currently facing 

  • According to experts, Florida orange production for the 2022-2023 growing season is projected to be 56% less than the previous season

  • Along with the ongoing citrus greening problem in Florida, they say damage from Hurricane Ian and freeze events in 2022 contributed to the decline

Members of the Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture talked about everything from orange juice production and the problems of citrus greening, to this past year's back-to-back hurricanes.

Experts say the combination of those factors could result in a level of citrus production loss that Florida hasn't seen in decades.

The USDA citrus forecast estimates Florida orange production for the 2022-2023 growing season will total 18 million boxes, which would be 56% less than the previous season.

Florida grapefruit and tangerine/tangelo production is forecast to be 55% and 33% lower respectively.

Groveland grower Glen Beck says citrus greening is the No. 1 problem for growers around the state of Florida.

According to the USDA, citrus greening is caused by bacteria spread by infected insects and is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world.

“It is by far the most devastating disease we have ever encountered," Beck said. "There’s been a multitude of things, but citrus greening tops them all."

Beck, a fourth-generation citrus grower, said treatments are being developed to combat citrus greening. One such process includes injecting the citrus trees with an antimicrobial material that has shown promise in improving the fruit production and overall health of infected trees. 

Beck said the estimated cost for the treatment would be around $300 to $400 per acre.