Florida approves US$196M citrus recovery package to combat greening disease
An additional US$4.5 million was allocated to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation for citrus research activities.
UNITED STATES – The Florida Legislature has approved nearly US$196 million in funding for the state’s citrus industry as part of the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, reinforcing its commitment to combat citrus greening and strengthen production.
The biggest challenges currently facing the Florida citrus industry include citrus greening disease (HLB), which has devastated groves across the state, high costs of replanting and maintaining trees, and the need for pest-resistant varieties.
The disease remains a major threat to local groves, requiring sustained scientific research and field trials to develop effective treatments and resistant cultivars. “The Florida Legislature’s nearly $196 million investment reinforces the state’s commitment to combat citrus greening, strengthen production and sustain the state’s iconic citrus industry,” said Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual executive vice president and CEO.
This investment strategy addresses the spread of citrus greening through multiple channels. The package includes US$160 million for the Citrus Research and Field Trials Foundation to support field trials, new citrus plantings, treatments, and production methods.
An additional US$4.5 million was allocated to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation for citrus research activities.
Furthermore, US$2 million was designated for the Citrus Recovery Program focused on technologies and varieties with higher tolerance or resistance to citrus greening, and US$2 million for the Citrus Budwood Program to expand propagation of tolerant or resistant budwood trees and seedlings.
Specific grants will also assist nurseries and packinghouses in upgrading essential equipment for modern production through US$20 million in Citrus Nursery and Packing Equipment Grants.
Since 2019, the CRAFT Foundation has managed grower-focused programmes that evaluate treatments for existing citrus trees and support replanting with varieties more tolerant of HLB.
The new funding significantly expands CRAFT’s capacity to conduct large-scale field trials and replanting efforts. Additional allocations include US$2.25 million for the Crop Transformation Center to support work on pests and diseases affecting citrus production, and US$5 million in non-recurring funds for the Florida Department of Citrus marketing budget, bringing total marketing funding to US$15 million for consumer and influencer promotion activities.
The battle against citrus greening has not yet been won, but Florida’s US$196 million commitment shows that recovery is possible with focused, multi-year funding.
MEA governments and industry bodies should study this package as a blueprint for their agricultural resilience strategies. The cost of inaction is measured in lost groves, closed packinghouses, and vanished export revenues.
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