Florida citrus growing inside a protective screen in Bartow, Florida. (FOX News)
BARTOW, Florida – Florida is facing its worst drought in 25 years, intensifying pressure on a citrus industry already plagued by disease, hurricanes and rising costs.
According to the US Drought Monitor, 100% of the state is experiencing some degree of drought, with more than 75% in extreme drought conditions. The drought is adding new financial strain to farmers who rely heavily on irrigation to sustain crops.
Florida accounts for 17% of the nation’s orange production, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In many communities, industry remains an important driver of the economy.
“There are a lot of companies in our state and throughout our state, and it’s a way of life for a lot of Floridians here,” said Jennifer Schaal, Vice President of Finance at the Dundee Citrus Growers Association. “That’s what they’re counting on.”
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Florida produces about 20% of the nation’s citrus crops, including grapefruit. (FOX News / Fox News)
However, nature has always been faithful to Florida farmers.
Back in 2000, the state’s citrus industry covered more than 800,000 hectares. Today, that number has dropped to more than 200,000 acres, according to the US Department of Agriculture, reflecting years of disease stress and hurricane damage.
“The number one challenge the industry has faced in recent years is citrus disease,” said Steven Callaham, vice president and CEO of the Dundee Citrus Growers Association. “And on top of that challenge, we’ve encountered many storms.”
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Recent freezes and drought conditions have now compounded those stresses.
“If you irrigate, you need a diesel or electric pump, which is very expensive,” explained Callaham.
The Dundee Citrus Growers Association is one of the largest fresh fruit cooperatives in the state of Florida, growing citrus on over 10,000 acres.
“It’s been a challenge this past year,” added Bill Bohde, director of horticulture at Dundee Citrus. “During flowering, water is important. It determines the size of the fruit and ultimately, you know, how big your crop will be.”
The Dundee Citrus Growers Association uses pods to grow oranges under a protective screen in Florida. (Amy Galo/Fox News)
As citrus acreage dwindles across the region, the company has found a solution to many environmental barriers with something called “CUPS,” or Citrus Under Protective Screens.
Oranges are grown under 10 hectares of white tented structures, also known as pods. Originally installed to prevent disease in citrus plants, these structures help growers better manage soil moisture during historic droughts.
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“Everything is put through a network of pipes in this black pipe, each tree has a small machine that releases water, you know that releases a lot of water,” explained Bhode.
The system allows precise irrigation, creating a controlled environment that can support fruit production even during long dry periods.
Citrus plants thrive under a protective screen in Bartow, Florida. (Amy Gallo)
“This ten-acre pod will produce between 8,000 and 10,000 boxes per pod,” Callaham said. “The trees in this area, they’re happy. They grow faster than the trees that grow outside, and they come into production faster. So it’s one of the ways we can get the industry back on track.”
USDA production data show mixed results across citrus categories. Florida lemon production increased 4% from last season, while tangerine and tangelo production was unchanged. Grape production fell by 8%, while production of non-Valencia oranges fell by 2%, according to the agency.
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“If I didn’t have hope, I wouldn’t be in the orange business,” Callaham said. “So I think there’s a lot of good ahead of us right now, you know? The challenges we have are temporary. We’ll make it.”
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