CITRUS CROPS

Citrus crops are primarily produced in California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

 

Florida is the largest U.S. orange producing state, and over 90% of the crop is used to make orange juice. However orange production has declined significantly in recent years because of citrus greening, a disease carried by invasive insects that infect trees with a crippling bacteria that leads to small, sour-tasting fruit. Orange production in Florida has declined over the past two decades due largely to citrus greening disease, along with damage from hurricanes and other challenges.

 

Citrus greening and other serious crop and livestock diseases demonstrate why it’s important for the U.S. to invest in agricultural research and development. Currently, there is no cure for citrus greening, but agricultural scientists are hard at work searching for treatments that will hopefully someday enable the industry to rebound.