A Farm Bill for Citrus Growers

A Farm Bill for Citrus Growers

Haylie Shipp
Haylie Shipp
With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

Since 2000, total domestic production of oranges dropped 80 percent, while grapefruit production declined 88 percent, highlighting the need for robust farm bill programs for the citrus industry. Strategies are underway to turn the ship around with much of the decline from citrus greening disease.

Does the Farm Bill have the power to help? Danny Munch, American Farm Bureau Federation Economist…

“We support the reauthorization of programs including the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund. They're really essential to finding effective and financially sustainable solutions for farmers dealing with diseases and invasive pests. Additionally, 40 percent of grapefruits, 20 percent of oranges are not covered by existing risk management programs, so like with many specialty crops, ensuring that crop insurance is improved to provide affordable and productive protection against natural disasters is important.”

Since 2000, our imports of citrus products have jumped over 300 percent, primarily from countries like Mexico, Peru and Chile for fresh citrus. The United States historically led the world in production.

Previous ReportRobust Farm Bill Programs Needed for Citrus Growers
Next ReportCommodity Prices to Drop Through 2024