The citrus industry is devoting extensive resources and time to new variety development, said Peter Chaires, executive vice-president of Lakeland, Fla.-based Florida Citrus Packers.
Feek Properties LLC, which owns Fort Pierce, Fla.-based DLF International, has added 750 new acres for grapefruit production this year and are in the process of expanding further, said Doug Feek, president.
Despite forecasts for a smaller production of all oranges and grapefruits this year, Florida citrus growers said favorable growing conditions are resulting in a strong, high-quality Florida citrus crop.
Riverfront Packing is now a compilation of three multi-generational citrus families, said Dan Richey, president of Riverfront Packing, Vero Beach, Fla.
Citrus greening disease or huanglongbing — HLB for short — has taken a toll on Florida’s citrus sales, but hope remains that the industry will survive and even thrive.
The University of Florida has developed a system designed to help growers know the best times to spray fungicides on their citrus trees in order to minimize a disease called postbloom fruit drop.