Florida’s legendary orange groves are rapidly vanishing, and many fear they may never recover.Thirty years ago, the state produced roughly 225 million boxes of oranges. This season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts only about 12 million boxes — a staggering 95% decline in just one generation.The primary culprit is citrus greening (Huanglongbing), a devastating bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. Once infected, trees slowly decline, producing bitter, misshapen, and often partially green fruit before eventually dying. There is still no cure.Compounding the crisis are increasingly powerful hurricanes, which destroy trees, break branches, strip fruit, and demolish expensive protective screenhouses that cost up to $45,000 per acre. Many struggling growers are selling their land to real estate developers. Once converted into housing, roads, or commercial projects, those groves are gone forever.Florida orange juice once dominated American breakfast tables. Today, Brazil produces roughly 70% of the world’s orange juice supply, while the U.S. share has shrunk dramatically.Scientists are working urgently on disease-resistant varieties, but after more than two decades of relentless decline, many in the industry worry that the golden era of Florida oranges — once a defining symbol of the state — may never fully return.[WLRN, “The fruit that made Florida is quickly disappearing” (March 2026)]Science and facts💡
Florida’s legendary orange groves are rapidly vanishing, and many fear they may never recover.Thirty years ago, the state produced roughly 225 million boxes of oranges. This season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts only about 12 million boxes — a staggering 95% decline in just one generation.The primary culprit is citrus greening (Huanglongbing), a devastating bacterial disease spread ...
