Source of oranges in Florida

[csurp]

For the last few months, we have noticed the oranges we are buying here in Florida are coming from Chile and South Africa. South Africa is over 8,000 miles away. These oranges have been very good. They have gradually been replaced by oranges from California as they go out of season in the southern hemisphere. The small sample of oranges we have had recently, that claim Florida origin, have not been that good. What a crazy world.

[TampaJim]

Florida has an issue, greening disease. It's been killing our citrus for the last decade, getting worse.
There's no cure, no fix. UF is trying to find an answer, but it's been evasive thus far. It's a real mess.
Greening is spread by an insect. Unfortunately, if we kill it, we kill anything else. No solution there.
And, of course, Hurricane Ian decided to mow down the crops at a vulnerable time. Making it worse.
Depending on the county, the storm destroyed 30-50% of the fruit, plus trees. Crops are way down.

[Gamblerman65]

Orange groves in Fl are being replaced by sub divisions + citrus disease is wiping out the groves .

[BassinPaPaw]

I love oranges. My favorite fruit by far. I always got a a bag around.

[idbefishing]

Which came first? The fruit called orange or the color orange?

[TampaJim]

[NitroZ7]

Orange groves in Fl are being replaced by sub divisions + citrus disease is wiping out the groves .

I remember going into the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando years ago. They had a picture from the 1950's I believe showing the view around Orlando. It was literally surrounded by Orange groves. It looks nothing like that now.

[Doorman1]

I like orange juice but not oranges. Now I can eat 3 or 4 tangerines in one sitting.

[Mark Perry]

The cara cara oranges were not as good this year to me.

[ProVle]

The Indian river trucks are selling them in the Tractor Supply and Menards stores lots in N Ky. and area.

[tcesni]

Florida oranges are grown primarily for the juice industry with only a few for the fresh market. As TampaJim has pointed out, citrus greening is a vector borne bacterial disease that can be controlled but it increases costs and reduces the life expectancy of groves making it difficult to profitably grow juice oranges. The insect and disease (Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing disease) originate from Asia but have also spread to parts of Brazil, South Africa and Mexico. In recent years the insect has been found in California but thus far the disease has not spread. A LOT of money and effort is being made to find a means to eliminate the disease that will probably a GMO orange tree.

[Hank Purvis]

Orange groves in Fl are being replaced by sub divisions + citrus disease is wiping out the groves .

When I was a boy there were a lot of groves around Zephyrhills in the 70's. The are almost all gone now,

[tcesni]

Production in Florida is down 75% since 2005.

[bilgerat]

Florida oranges are grown primarily for the juice industry with only a few for the fresh market. As TampaJim has pointed out, citrus greening is a vector borne bacterial disease that can be controlled but it increases costs and reduces the life expectancy of groves making it difficult to profitably grow juice oranges. The insect and disease (Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing disease) originate from Asia but have also spread to parts of Brazil, South Africa and Mexico. In recent years the insect has been found in California but thus far the disease has not spread. A LOT of money and effort is being made to find a means to eliminate the disease that will probably a GMO orange tree.

So it’s covid for oranges …

[TampaJim]

So it’s covid for oranges …

We wish. It's closer to 1980s AIDS, there's nothing stopping it.
The only thing we can do ... delay the inevitable via high expense.
Spray foliate, excess pesticides & heat tenting with limited value.

Considering the rest, development & climate change, we're done.
Groves will operate for awhile longer, converting to alternatives.
We've seen blueberries & peaches come and go. Profits are thin.

Going to guess bumper to bumper people, that's the future here.
We get closer and closer by the day. Resources are being taxed.
But hey, it's Florida. Bring cash, bring sunscreen, enjoy Disney.

[wicker*man]

Floridas natural orange juice isn’t from Florida anymore. It says oranges from Florida and Mexico. Not sure if this has always been the case but kinda sad.

[Bjxds]

We wish. It's closer to 1980s AIDS, there's nothing stopping it.
The only thing we can do ... delay the inevitable via high expense.
Spray foliate, excess pesticides & heat tenting with limited value.

Considering the rest, development & climate change, we're done.
Groves will operate for awhile longer, converting to alternatives.
We've seen blueberries & peaches come and go. Profits are thin.

Going to guess bumper to bumper people, that's the future here.
We get closer and closer by the day. Resources are being taxed.
But hey, it's Florida. Bring cash, bring sunscreen, enjoy Disney.

[Bjxds]

YEP! Orange groves are worth more developed than as a grove. Once they are gone unfortunately it will be forever

[CoryKerber]

Hurricane Ian severely impacted Florida’s orange production this year.

[TampaJim]

Floridas natural orange juice isn’t from Florida anymore. It says oranges from Florida and Mexico. Not sure if this has always been the case but kinda sad.

Depends on the brand, production plant & where you're located.
Most 100% pure will stay here OR where it can sell at top dollar.
We don't have the fruit. We're blending to keep plants operating.
Tropicana is FL, Minute Maid CA. Just keep reading the labeling.