US citrus production has fallen and the country has been a net importer for 9 years

Various factors (destructive hurricanes, the presence of citrus greening disease, urban development reducing farmland, labor costs) may explain the decline in US citrus production, particularly in the state of Florida.

 

According to Daniel Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, who has analyzed citrus production in the United States, over the past 2 decades the country has seen a considerable drop in production that no longer meets consumer demand.

 

Production

While 4 states (Florida, California, Arizona, Texas) produce citrus fruits, Florida has been the leader in American production. Since 2000, total national orange production has fallen by 80%, from 300 million cases (90lb = 40.8kg) to 62 million in 2023. Since 2005, Florida orange production has fallen by 90%, from 150 million cases (90lb = 40.8kg) to just 16 million cases expected in 2023. 

 

This decline in domestic production has led to changes in the balance of trade between imports and exports. Until 2014, the volume exported exceeded the volume imported, but since then, the negative gap of 770,000 cases has widened, leading to a gap of over 25 million cases in 2022.

Imports

U.S. consumer demand exceeds the country's production capacity. In 2000, the United States imported around 9 million cases of fresh citrus fruit, but by 2022, around 37 million cases, i.e. +320%. Mainly from Mexico, but also from Chile and Peru.

 

 

Exports 

In 2000, the United States exported over 26 million cases of fresh citrus fruit, but by 2022 only 12 million cases, i.e. -53%.