Bartow, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its May 2025 citrus crop estimate on May 12, revising the forecast to 11.63 million boxes of oranges, 1.3 million boxes of grapefruit and 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for the 2024-2025 harvest season.
The forecast shows an increase of 30,000 boxes of oranges, while the production estimates for grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos remain unchanged from the April citrus crop forecast. Last month’s crop estimate projected 11.6 million boxes of oranges, 1.3 million boxes of grapefruit and 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos.
“Every day, I hear from Florida citrus growers who are seeing healthier trees thanks to the tools they’re using to fight citrus greening and recover from hurricanes. This month’s upward momentum reflects growers’ relentless efforts to bring a crop to market and preserve family-run operations that have sustained the industry for generations,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice president and CEO at Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM). “Thanks to Senate President Albritton’s bold vision to make citrus great again and the prospect of unprecedented funding from the Legislature to advance research and replanting efforts, there’s hope for revitalizing Florida’s signature crop.”
On March 26, President Albritton announced a proposal to allocate $200 million for the Florida citrus industry in the 2025-2026 state fiscal budget with $190 million proposed for field trials to support grove management, therapeutic tools, new plantings and the rehabilitation of existing trees. Of the $190 million proposed to bolster the state’s citrus industry, a minimum of $125 million would support the acquisition and planting of trees. Additionally, the proposal includes $10 million for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to provide 80% cost-share funding to citrus packinghouses for equipment refurbishment, the adoption of new technology or the purchase of new equipment.
The Florida Senate and House have proposed differing budget allocations for the state’s citrus industry. The two chambers are negotiating to approve a budget for the 2025-26 state fiscal year, which will take effect on July 1. The outcome will determine the funding for citrus initiatives, including research, grove management and replanting efforts.
On April 22, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody announced the introduction of the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act in the Senate during a press conference at Florida’s Natural Grove House Visitor Center. This legislation proposes adjusting the standard identity of orange juice from 10.5% weight of soluble solids to 10% to strengthen the domestic supply of Florida’s orange juice without affecting its quality, taste or nutrition.
The Act’s passage could deliver significant benefits to the industry, offering greater flexibility to utilize our domestic product and reducing reliance on foreign imports for U.S. citrus to reclaim a competitive advantage. FCM has advocated for this change since 2022, urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to adjust the brix standard for pasteurized orange juice to reflect today’s citrus crop. This legislation is sponsored by Sens. Moody and Rick Scott, as well as Congressman Scott Franklin and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
This legislation is critical as growers continue to fight huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening – a disease caused by the Asian citrus psyllid, an invasive pest – that has affected commercial groves in Florida since 2005. Trees with greening decline in health over time, producing fewer, smaller fruits until the tree dies. Adjusting the Brix standard is a practical step to help multigenerational growers recover and ensure the future of Florida’s signature crop.