Greening Disease Curbs Citrus ‘U-Picks’

The citrus harvest season is in full swing at local lush groves, but consumers might not have their usual pick of the crops.

While some growers are thriving, others have had to cancel their lucrative "U-pick'' offerings because of the widespread citrus greening disease that has plagued Florida and its $9 billion citrus industry. Greening is a bacterial disease that reduces production and the economic value of fruit.

Despite the effects of greening, statewide crop forecasts remain optimistic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's initial citrus crop forecast in October estimated that Florida's production of oranges will increase 5 percent over last season, and production of grapefruit will also rise slightly, according to a news release.

U-pick sales comprise a large percentage of the groves' business. The county has several farms that allow visitors to hand-pick their own fresh fruits, including citrus like navel oranges, grapefruit, kumquats, tangerines, lemons and limes. For families and tourists, Central Florida's groves can be a fun day-trip destination.

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