Explore the details of the replanting strategy laid out by the Florida Department of Citrus for utilizing funds approved for investment.
Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of economic and market research recently gave a presentation at the June Florida Citrus Commission meeting concerning the $140 million “investment in the Florida citrus industry” approved by the Florida legislature and headed to Governor DeSantis. Steve Johnson, the Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, shared a breakdown of the numbers in a piece published on FloridaCitrus.org. See the details below.
Breakdown of the Investment
The article written by Johnson shared how the investment will be allocated. It includes:
- “$104.5m is dedicated to reset and replanting initiatives through the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation;
- $10m for dedicated marketing efforts by the FDOC to keep 100% orange juice top-of-mind in the highly competitive beverage category;
- and $2m for the FDOC’s Citrus Recovery program to advance technologies and varieties that prove higher tolerance or resistance to citrus greening.”
Details of the Replanting Strategy
The replanting strategy is getting $104.5 million to replant citrus trees and revitalize Florida’s citrus industry. According to the article, the numbers those fund represent include:
- “Nearly 4.5 million new orange trees planted;
- Equates to about 25,625 acres restored over a three-year period;
- At a cost of about $4,176 per acre;
- Projects first meaningful harvests by year five;
- Full productivity reached by year 10 with an annual output of 7 million boxes;
- Over a 20-year outlook, estimated annual production of this replanting strategy is 7.7 million boxes;
- Resulting in a total estimated net block income of $225.4 million to growers from processed oranges alone over the period;
- This model incorporates ongoing grower expenses, such as caretaking and harvesting, which can reach nearly $2,000 per acre annually.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.