The Perfect Storm That Hit Florida Citrus

Ariel Singerman

Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, 2024, vol. 39, issue 4

Abstract: Citrus production in Florida has decreased by more than 90% since 2005 (USDA-NASS, 2024a). Such a decline in the state that used to be the top citrus-producer nationwide is mainly the consequence of the impact of a bacterial disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening. In recent years, the cumulative impact of HLB on Florida citrus has been compounded by additional challenges, including weather shocks, rock-bottom fruit prices, and skyrocketing input prices. Also, in 2016, the policy decision to approve the use of foliar antibiotic sprays to combat the disease, without any scientific evidence on their effectiveness, can sensibly be argued to have contributed to weakening the only voluntary collective action effort that was in place. As a consequence of those challenges, the entire Florida citrus industry has downsized significantly, and it is unlikely to make a comeback.

Keywords: Climate Change; Crop Production/Industries; Environmental Economics and Policy; International Relations/Trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aaeach:348531

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.348531

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