TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s once-dominant citrus industry is being squeezed for land at an accelerating rate.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week reported that the industry is entering the 2025-2026 growing season with 208,183 acres in use for producing oranges, grapefruit and specialty fruits, 24% fewer acres than a year ago.

That follows a 17% reduction in acreage heading into the 2024-2025 season, which was the worst for production in a century. Since 2020, the land is down 75%, according to USDA figures.

During the past 25 years, the industry has been hammered by deadly citrus greening disease, hurricanes and development pressure. In that time, production of oranges has dropped 94% and grapefruit is down 97%.

Matt Joyner, executive vice president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mu

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