Florida's warm climate provides great conditions for cultivating a wide variety of citrus fruits, making the state one of the leading citrus-producing regions in the world. The history of citrus in Florida traces back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers introduced orange seeds to the peninsula. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that the citrus industry began to flourish, with hardier varieties being developed that could withstand Florida's occasional freezes.
By the early 20th century, Florida had established itself as THE place for citrus, with groves stretching across the state, shaping its identity, economy, landscape, and culture. The citrus industry played a crucial role in the state's growth, attracting settlers, creating jobs, and drawing tourists eager to taste citrus and bring back the sweet fruits to their hometowns during cold winters.
Citrus varieties grown in the state include the valencia, sugar belle, and navel oranges; pink and red grapefruits; tangerines; lemons and limes. However, the leading way citrus is grown in Florida is for juice processing.
Despite challenges such as citrus greening disease, global competition, hurricanes and weather-related events, and land conversion from agriculture to housing, Florida's citrus industry still has a dedicated group of growers that want to see the industry continue in Florida.
Collaboration between UF/IFAS researchers, state and federal organizations, and private businesses have allowed Southwest Florida's small family-owned groves and large commercial operations to employ innovative farming practices to ensure success of the industry. A few of these practices include biotechnical and genetic research and breeding programs, using integrated pest management to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, utilizing drones and GPS technology to manage groves, and expanding their marketing efforts to promote and educate consumers about the industry.
If you are looking for Florida grown citrus go to www.swflfresh.com for groves in the area selling directly to the public and get your hands on some of that sweet citrus!
