LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s iconic citrus industry may be showing early signs of a comeback after years of steady decline, according to new federal estimates and growers working to keep trees alive through ongoing challenges.
Oranges have long been synonymous with Florida, appearing everywhere from grocery store shelves to license plates. But behind that familiar image, citrus growers have struggled with declining production caused by disease, storms and unpredictable weather.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first forecast for the 2025–26 harvest season projects Florida will produce about 12 million boxes of oranges, along with 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit and 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos.
Despite those figures, production remains below last season’s levels. USDA data show overall orange production is down 2%, while grapefruit production has fallen 8%. Tangerine and tangelo production is unchanged.
[EXCLUSIVE:Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE)| PINIT!Share your photos]
Industry leaders say the numbers, while lower than hoped, suggest gradual improvement. Growers report healthier trees and larger fruit yields on a per-acre basis, signaling potential progress after years of losses.
At Showcase of Citrus in Lake County, rows of trees stretch across hundreds of acres, though some appear sparse. Growers say the uneven look reflects the industry’s unpredictability, not the death of the trees themselves.
Visitors say supporting Florida citrus has become more important than ever. Tara Kimmel, who traveled from Pennsylvania with her family, said the industry represents more than just fruit.
[FLASHBACK: Citrus growers in 2024 face smallest harvest in 100 years]
“It’s the bread and butter for so many people,” Kimmel said. “It’s a big concern for the people that live here and for the country as well. It’s a national treasure.”
The citrus industry generates an estimated $7 billion annually for Florida’s economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs statewide.
As growers look toward the upcoming season, weather remains a critical factor. The News 6 Weather Team is tracking a potential cold snap moving into Central Florida, which could threaten citrus trees if temperatures drop too low.
To protect crops, farmers rely on irrigation systems that spray water over trees during freezing conditions. As the water freezes, it forms a protective layer of ice that insulates the fruit and blossoms until temperatures rise again.