US citrus trade shift: A decade as a net importer

According to a recently published analysis by Daniel Munch, an economist from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the United States has experienced a substantial decline in citrus production over the past two decades. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including extreme weather conditions, the prevalence of citrus greening disease and the conversion of citrus orchards for property development. Since 2000, the country’s production of oranges and grapefruit has plummeted by up to 80% and 88%, respectively, causing the United States to transition from being a net exporter to a net importer when it comes to citrus fruit. Since the establishment of citrus cultivation in the United States, the key producing states have been Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. Prior to 2014, Florida’s orange production accounted for over 70% of the country’s total. Tropical storms and hurricanes are frequent destructive weather events in many citrus-growing regions, often leading to ...