Citrus Industry

Ariel Singerman andAriel Singerman
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

Ariel Singerman andAriel Singerman
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

A survey of Florida fresh citrus packers was conducted in April 2015 to collect data on their packing charges during the 2014/15 season. A total of sixteen packinghouses participated in the survey, seven from the Interior region and nine from the Indian River region. The average of their responses was computed to obtain the estimates presented in this document. 

Ariel Singerman

UF/IFAS researchers collected data from five growers to estimate the cost of production per acre for processed oranges in central Florida during 2014/15. The cost estimates in this 4-page fact sheet do not represent any individual operation. Instead, their purpose is to serve as a benchmark for the Florida citrus industry. Typical users of these estimates include growers, consultants, property appraisers, and researchers.

Ariel Singerman

This article presents the cost of production per acre for growing fresh grapefruit in the Indian River region during 2014/15, based on a survey of growers conducted at the Indian River Citrus League production committee meeting in March 2015. The cost estimates do not represent any individual operation; rather, their purpose is to serve as a benchmark for the industry. Typical users of these estimates include growers, consultants, property appraisers, and researchers.

Yan Heng, Mitzey Tejeda, and Lisa House

Lijun (Angelia) Chen and Lisa House

Global grapefruit production has been increasing steadily in the recent decade, reaching a historical record of 6.8 million metric tons in 2018/2019. This publication discusses grapefruit consumption as well as a grapefruit consumer survey in the United States. Written by Lijun (Angelia) Chen and Lisa House, and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, May 2021.

Ariel Singerman

Ariel Singerman, Ariel Singerman, andFritz Roka
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

Ariel Singerman and Marina Burani-Arouca

Brian J. Sevier and Won Suk Lee

Marina Burani-Arouca, Ariel Singerman, Ariel Singerman, Marina Burani-Arouca, andStephen H. Futch
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

Yan Heng, Hyeyoung Kim, and Lisa House

Ariel Singerman andAriel Singerman
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

UF/IFAS researchers collected data from twelve growers to estimate the cost of production per acre for processed oranges in southwest Florida during 2014/15. The cost estimates in this 4-page fact sheet do not represent any individual operation. Instead, their purpose is to serve as a benchmark for the Florida citrus industry. Typical users of these estimates include growers, consultants, property appraisers, and researchers.

Ariel Singerman

Ariel Singerman, Ariel Singerman, andMaria D. Useche
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Carlos Solis, Hayk Khachatryan, Richard Beeson, andRichard Beeson

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Ariel Singerman

This publication explores the question for Florida citrus growers of whether Actual Production History (APH) will continue to be advantageous, using Polk County yield records for Valencia oranges as an example. Written by Ariel Singerman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics, July 2026.

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Frederick G. Gmitter, andJeffrey K. Brecht

This publication explores the potential for blood orange cultivation in Florida and discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by producers and the industry. It provides recommendations and suggestions for improving the production and consumption of blood oranges in Florida, offering insights for growers, Extension agents and specialists, and researchers. Written by Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2025.

A. Malek Hammami, Yi Li, and Zhengfei Guan

The US orange industry has been grappling with declining production since the early 2000s due to the outbreak of the Huanglongbing disease and various other challenges. To meet the market demand, the United States increasingly relies on imports, notably those from Mexico and Chile. This publication further explores the factors contributing to this trend and discusses potential solutions. 

Julio Cruz, João-Pedro Ferreira, Christa Court, and Kelsey McDaid

This publication provides a summary of the economic contributions of the citrus industry in the state of Florida during the 2020-2021 citrus marketing year. Additional details on the data sources, methodologies, and results are published in the most recent report on the economic contributions of the citrus industry in Florida from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program. This information is intended to be used in support of informed decision making related to the citrus industry.

Sungeun Yoon, Marisa Zansler, andLisa House

This study analyzes consumer responses to price changes in 100% orange juice during the 2022/23–2023/24 seasons. Using Nielsen sales data and a demand model, we estimate price elasticities for Not from Concentrate (NFC) and Reconstituted (Recon) juices. Both types showed elastic demand, with Recon being more price-sensitive. Cross-price elasticity estimates indicate that NFC and Recon are substitutes, but with asymmetric substitution: consumers are more likely to switch to Recon when NFC prices rise than vice versa. As the price gap between the two narrowed, consumers increasingly favored NFC over Recon. These findings highlight the importance of pricing in shaping demand and substitution behavior.

Marina Burani-Arouca, Ariel Singerman, Ariel Singerman, Marina Burani-Arouca, andStephen H. Futch
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Ariel Singerman andAriel Singerman
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr. andLauren M. Diepenbrock

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals).

Sungeun Yoon, Marisa Zansler, and Lisa House

This publication examines the recent inflation in orange juice prices and consumer responses using Nielsen scanner and orange juice tracker datasets. Orange juice prices experienced high inflation, peaking at 14.1% in January 2023, leading to decreased sales in both volume and dollars. Consumers are aware of the ongoing inflation in orange juice prices and reduced their orange juice purchases in quantity and frequency instead of discontinuing consumption altogether. Despite the significant barrier of high prices, the proportions of active orange juice consumers and those with a positive perception of orange juice remained steady and strong. Marketing efforts emphasizing the health benefits of orange juice continue to be crucial to sustaining consumer perception and demand.

Stephen H. Futch, Brent Sellers, andRamdas Kanissery

Discusses herbicide residues on citrus land where the trees have been removed due to citrus canker, and issues to address before the acreage can be converted to other agricultural uses. The authors describe bioassay procedures and tests for specific herbicide groups. Includes a table of relevant data for herbicide products frequently used in Florida citrus production.

Tara Wade, Shourish Chakravarty, andSarah L. Strauss

This publication presents the results from a static one-year cost analysis assessing the viability of planting cover crops in citrus row middles in a Florida grove to determine whether implementing them will be economically feasible for citrus growers. The authors developed a partial budget for cover crops in a typical Florida orange grove, calculating breakeven prices for oranges in terms of price per box (equivalent to 90 lbs of oranges) and price per pounds solids (amount of soluble solids per box of oranges). We also incorporated additional net costs for citrus grove cover crops across historical yield and quality scenarios. Given that cover crops are effective in improving soil quality and suppressing weed growth and have short-term savings in the form of reduced mowing, we believe that the results from our study will benefit citrus growers considering planting cover crops in their grove row middles.