Changes to Florida citrus production systems and an economic outlook based on science

摘要

Over the past several years the Florida citrus industry has been faced with many challenges, including hurricanes, citrus canker, Huanglongbing disease (HLB, greening), labor shortages and urbanization. To remain viable, the Florida citrus industry will have to adapt to these new pressures in all aspects of production, harvesting, processing and marketing. Some of these changes are already taking place, such as the new nursery regulations that took effect on Jan. 1, 2007. This article discusses different elements of production systems in Florida citriculture and how they may change over the next several years, along with an economic assessment of production costs in the presence of canker and greening diseases.