On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The fall of Florida citrus
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Aug 19, 2025 Wayne Simmons, President of LaBelle Fruit Company and a fifth-generation Floridian, shares his deep-rooted connection to Florida's citrus heritage. Anne Simon, a Professor at the University of Maryland and biotech co-founder, dives into the science battling citrus greening disease. They discuss the dramatic 90% decline in Florida's orange production and its economic implications. Personal stories reveal the emotional toll on growers, while innovative solutions like genetic modifications showcase a glimmer of hope for revitalizing this beloved industry.
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Irma Accelerated Grove Collapse
- Hurricane Irma (2017) struck Wayne's southwest Florida groves directly and greatly accelerated grove collapse already stressed by greening.
- He describes the storm stress as a turning point in his groves' decline.
Demand Drop And Import Reliance
- U.S. orange juice consumption has fallen over 50% in 20 years, reducing domestic demand for Florida citrus.
- Brands like Florida's Natural now add Mexican oranges because Florida crops can't meet demand or quality standards.
Production Collapse And Global Risk
- Citrus greening has driven a roughly 90+% drop in Florida citrus production and threatens citrus worldwide.
- Anne warns many citrus regions face severe losses and prices could rise dramatically without effective long‑term solutions.