In the Tampa Bay region, the quest for fresh squeezed orange juice at local establishments has become increasingly challenging, a situation attributed to citrus greening and urban expansion. Tony Yeoman, a lifelong resident of Tampa's Rivergrove neighborhood, reminisces about a time when citrus trees were a common sight in local yards, including his grandmother's, where the air was filled with the scent of sweet citrus. The stark contrast became apparent to Yeoman during a trip to Europe, where fresh squeezed orange juice was readily available at breakfast spots, highlighting the scarcity back home in Florida.
The decline in local orange juice availability is primarily linked to the spread of Huanglongbing, or citrus greening, a disease with no known cure that has devastated Florida's citrus crops since its detection in 2005. The disease has led to the removal of infected trees to prevent further spread, contributing to a significant reduction in citrus production.
Over the past nearly two decades, the state has witnessed a decline in citrus output by over 75%, with a notable drop of almost 62% between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 growing seasons. The impact of Hurricane Ian in September 2022 further exacerbated the decline, affecting the heart of Florida's citrus industry. Despite a slight increase in orange production forecasted in February, the outlook for the 2023-24 growing season remains unchanged, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the industry.
Source: wusf.org