U.S. Citrus Acreage Reaches 771,000 Acres, Stable Despite Challenges

Abstract

The amount of citrus acreage planted in the United States has shown a stable trend in recent years. According to 2022 data, total citrus planted acres in the U.S. reached 771,000 acres. This area is mostly made up of Florida and California, with Florida being known for its orange production. Over the past few decades, Florida’s orange orchards have maintained steady production despite the effects of frost and pests. On the other hand, California mainly produces lemons and grapefruit, and its climate and soil conditions are suitable for producing high-quality citrus fruits. Overall, U.S. citrus acreage is stable, but may be affected by climate change and pests and diseases, which will require innovation and management to address these factors in the future.

Total citrus planted area

From 1997 to 2022, there was a notable decline in U.S. citrus acreage. In 1997, the area hit a peak of 1.38 million acres, but in 2022, the area has fallen to 771,000 acres, about 55.9% of its peak. This decline is due to several factors. The main factors are climate change and the impact of pests and diseases, especially the impact on production caused by diseases such as Huanglongbing (HLB) in Florida. Additionally, the decline in the efficiency and profitability of agricultural management is also leading to a decrease in the area under cultivation. On the other hand, California has seen relatively stable production and is producing high-quality citrus fruit, but the overall decline is affecting citrus production across the United States. In the future, it will be necessary to develop disease-resistant varieties and introduce cultivation techniques that adapt to climate change.

The maximum is 1.38MACRES[1997] of US TOTAL, and the current value is about 55.9%

Total citrus planted area (50 US states)

In 1997, Florida’s citrus acreage reached 972,000, making it the leading producer in the entire United States. However, in 2022, this acreage has decreased to 39.4%, and now stands at approximately 382,000 acres. This steep decline is due to issues unique to Florida. The biggest factor was a deadly disease called ”yellow dragon disease (hlb),” which weakened orange trees and significantly reduced yields. Additionally, hurricanes and the effects of climate change have contributed to the decline in planted area. Florida was once known as the nation’s orange-producing center, but the effects of disease have made agricultural management difficult, forcing many farmers to scale back production. This resulted in a shift to other regions and crops, significantly changing citrus production in Florida. In the future, the development of disease-resistant varieties and the introduction of new cultivation techniques will be key to restoring citrus production in Florida.

The maximum is 972kACRES[1997] of FLORIDA, and the current value is about 39.4%

Total citrus planted area (latest year, 50 US states)

According to 2022 data, the total citrus planted area in the U.S. is 771,000 acres, with Florida accounting for the largest amount at 383,000 acres. This shows that Florida remains America’s leading citrus producer, but is down significantly from its peak. The average planted area in Florida is 77,100 acres, about 50 percent of the total, but the area has been declining over the past few decades. The reason behind this decrease is the impact of ”Huanglong disease (HLB)”. Hlb can severely affect orange trees, causing reduced yields and even death of the tree. As a result, many farmers cut back on production and reduced the area they planted. Climate change and natural disasters such as hurricanes also have an impact. Other states, such as California, also produce citrus, but not on the same scale as Florida. Overall, U.S. citrus production faces a challenging situation, but the adoption of new growing techniques and disease management strategies will be key to future recovery and sustainable production.

The maximum is 383kACRES of FLORIDA, the average is 77.1kACRES, and the total is 771kACRES

Main data

Reference