Florida’s citrus industry has a storied history, deeply rooted in the state’s heritage. It all began in the early 1500s when Spanish explorers, likely Ponce de Leon, introduced orange trees to the region near St. Augustine. By the early 1800s, citrus production started expanding commercially, thanks to the state’s ideal climate, fertile soil, and abundant sunshine. Today, citrus is synonymous with Florida, with orchards covering thousands of acres. However, this iconic industry has faced both triumphs and trials throughout its long history.
Early Beginnings and Growth
The journey of Florida citrus began in earnest in 1818, when commercial groves emerged on Merritt Island, utilizing wild citrus seedlings topworked into sweet orange varieties. Despite this initial success, the first “Great Freeze” in 1835 devastated much of the state’s groves, prompting growers to seek warmer locations for their crops. By 1860, Leesburg became the state’s first citrus hub, with oranges transported to markets as far as 60 miles away via horse, wagon, and boat.
In the post-Civil War era, the development of refrigerated railcars revolutionized the industry, allowing Florida citrus to reach northern markets. As new groves flourished across Marion, Orange Lake, Ocala, and Citra, citrus became an increasingly vital part of the state’s economy.
Overcoming Setbacks
In 1894 and 1895, devastating freezes wiped out significant portions of Florida’s citrus crop, pushing growers further south to regions less susceptible to freezing temperatures. Despite the challenges, the industry rallied and reached new heights. By 1950, more than 100 million boxes of citrus were harvested, doubling to 200 million by 1970. The state’s southern peninsula became the heart of citrus production, with Polk County emerging as a leading grower.
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) was established in 1968 to support the industry, with the Agricultural Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred contributing significantly to innovation. The discovery of micro-sprinkler irrigation in 1982, which protected citrus trees from cold injury, proved to be a pivotal advancement.
Modern Challenges
Despite decades of growth and innovation, the Florida citrus industry has faced mounting challenges in recent years. Factors such as citrus greening disease, increasingly destructive hurricanes, and economic pressures have led to a staggering 90% decline in citrus production over the past 20 years, from 300 million boxes in the 2003-04 season to just 20 million in 2023-24.
The 2022-23 season marked the worst production year in nearly a century, with only 15.8 million boxes of oranges and 1.8 million boxes of grapefruit harvested. The outlook for the 2024-25 season is similarly grim, with projections of just 12 million boxes of oranges and 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit—a 33% drop from the previous season.
A Resilient Future
While the challenges facing Florida’s citrus industry are significant, its legacy of resilience offers hope. From pioneering transportation methods in the 1800s to adopting cutting-edge agricultural practices in the 20th century, Florida growers have always adapted to adversity. As the industry confronts its latest hurdles – from canker to climate challenges, from economic pressures to greening – the dedication of citrus growers, researchers, and innovators will be key to shaping a sustainable future for this cornerstone of Florida’s economy and culture.
