Citrus Leaders Taking "Measured Approach" to New Disease

California Farm Bureau is warning of a new citrus disease which, while it so far is confined to residential trees, does still have industry leaders taking a “measured approach.”

According to an Ag Alert from the California Farm Bureau, caused by the citrus yellow vein clearing virus, the disease was confirmed in residential citrus trees in 2022 and again in 2023. The discoveries in California marked the first time it had been confirmed in the Americas.

Keith Watkins, chairman of the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program Committee, said producers are keeping a watchful eye.

“We’re concerned any time you have a new disease that you’re not sure of how it’s going to do in your environment,” he said. “Fortunately, this doesn’t seem to be too virulent. Trees that have been tested look pretty healthy.”

How the disease responds to California’s climate and production systems are topics of discussion among industry stakeholders.

Until more is known about the disease, the California Department of Food and Agriculture reccomends growers follow best management practices for other citrus pests.

For more, visit https://www.agalert.com/california-ag-news/archives/january-28-2026/citrus-growers-assess-risk-of-new-vein-clearing-virus/