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Forecast generates optimism among citrus growers

Photo courtesy USDA
Photo courtesy USDA

A new citrus forecast is giving hope to Florida growers battered by greening.

The USDA forecast released this week remains unchanged from November, at 108 million boxes.

That's good news in an industry that's slid from 300 million boxes a decade ago.

Andrew Meadows of Florida Citrus Mutual says some growers are banking on a turnaround.

"There is some optimism out there. I've seen quite a few new plantings, new trees going in. I've seen large replantings, 2,500 acres where you stand on a bluff overlooking it and citrus is all you can see."

Greening is a disease that weakens trees. It's devastated Florida’s citrus industry, which is second behind Brazil in oranges grown for juice.

This season Meadows says growers especially are watching for fruit drop, or fruit that falls from infected trees before reaching maturity. In the past that's caused big losses.

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.