Here is a statement by Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam concerning the state’s citrus industry:
Florida has been synonymous with citrus for centuries, but today, the industry is at a crisis point.
Due to the spread of citrus greening, production of Florida oranges is half of what it was two decades ago. At its peak, the citrus industry produced nearly 250 million boxes of oranges, but this week’s updated forecast predicts we’ll produce just 110 million boxes of oranges this year.
We’re in a race to save the state’s 70 million citrus trees and 76,000 citrus-related jobs. We’ve partnered with citrus growers and research institutions to identify ways to control the spread of the disease. We’re also working with growers to replenish nursery stock and replant lost trees.
As Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, I am committed to working alongside growers, processors and consumers to ensure Florida’s signature crop continues to thrive for generations to come.
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