The Treasure Coast was once the world’s leading grapefruit producer, but citrus greening has dramatically changed that reality. Discovered in South Florida in August 2005, citrus greening has since caused grapefruit production to plummet by 95.6% and orange production by 92.5%, severely impacting the local economy and reshaping the regional landscape.
Impact of Citrus Greening on the Treasure Coast
Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing or yellow dragon disease, is a bacterial infection spread by the invasive Asian citrus psyllid. The disease quickly spread across Florida, including St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties, drastically reducing citrus yields and forcing growers out of business.
Indian River County, previously responsible for 70% of global grapefruit production, has seen its citrus acreage shrink significantly. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, grapefruit acreage statewide decreased by 83.3% since the disease’s introduction.
Economic Consequences for Treasure Coast Citrus Growers
The citrus industry once had a $7 billion economic impact on Florida, according to a 2023 University of Florida analysis. Citrus greening has forced many growers to abandon their groves or sell their land for residential development. Dan Richey, CEO of Riverfront Packing Company in Indian River County, highlighted the industry’s decline, noting that shipments to Japan dropped from 12 million cartons annually in the early 2000s to just 10,000 cartons today.
Riverfront Packing Company, now the only remaining packing house exporting grapefruit to Japan, has been forced to raze and replant half of its citrus acreage due to declining yields.
Research Efforts and Potential Solutions to Citrus Greening
Researchers at the University of Florida’s Indian River Research and Education Center are actively developing citrus hybrids resistant to citrus greening. Flavia Zambon, assistant professor and lead researcher, is conducting a five-year study involving over 5,500 experimental trees. Promising hybrids like “Triumph” and “UF 914” have shown resilience and good fruit production despite infection. To learn more about these innovative solutions, explore the new grapefruit hybrids from University of Florida.
Current Treatment Options Available
- Mesh Bags: Protective coverings for young trees.
- Kaolin Clay: Powdery substance sprayed onto trees to repel psyllids.
- Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS): Screen houses isolating trees from pests.
- Oxytetracycline: Antibiotic injections administered directly into tree trunks.
Emerging Technologies: CRISPR Gene Editing
CRISPR gene-editing technology offers potential long-term solutions by genetically modifying citrus trees to resist infection. While still in experimental stages, CRISPR-edited citrus trees have already been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for resistance to citrus canker, another bacterial disease.
Transformation of Citrus Groves into Residential Developments
As citrus production declines, developers are increasingly converting former citrus groves into residential communities. Notable examples include Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Orchid Island in Indian River County, and Newfield in Martin County. Martin County has seen its commercial citrus production completely disappear, with the Florida Department of Agriculture no longer tracking citrus data there.
Dan Richey expressed concern about this irreversible trend, stating, “Once the land is developed, it can never be undeveloped. The citrus industry will come back, but it will never be what it once was.” With rising food costs, some residents are turning to alternative solutions, such as raising backyard chickens in Florida, to mitigate the impact of increasing egg prices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus Greening
What is citrus greening?
Citrus greening is a bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid insect. It infects citrus trees, causing fruits to become bitter, misshapen, and unusable.
How much has citrus greening affected grapefruit production in Florida?
Since citrus greening was discovered, grapefruit production in Florida has decreased by approximately 95.6%. This drastic decline has severely impacted the local economy and citrus growers.
Are there treatments available for citrus greening?
Yes, there are treatments like mesh bags, kaolin clay sprays, protective screen houses (CUPS), and antibiotic injections. However, there is currently no cure, only management methods.
Can you still buy locally grown grapefruit on the Treasure Coast?
Yes, grapefruit is still grown on the Treasure Coast, but in significantly reduced quantities. Local packing houses like Riverfront Packing Company continue to produce and sell grapefruit.
Where are former citrus groves being redeveloped?
Former citrus groves are being redeveloped into residential communities across the Treasure Coast, including Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Orchid Island in Indian River County, and Newfield in Martin County.
Additionally, researchers are making significant strides; for example, UF researchers developed disease-resistant grapefruit varieties to combat citrus greening.
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