Florida’s Citrus Industry Faces Reckoning as Alico Exits

Alico, one of Florida’s largest citrus growers, is exiting the market due to the devastating effects of citrus greening and hurricanes, signaling a major shift in the state’s agricultural landscape.

Alico, a cornerstone of Florida’s citrus industry, is shutting down its citrus operations after enduring years of losses from citrus greening disease and repeated hurricane damage. The decision marks a significant turning point for the state’s agricultural sector, as Florida’s signature citrus industry continues to shrink under mounting challenges. Citrus greening, a bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, has decimated orange groves across the state, reducing yields and increasing costs. Alico, despite investments in disease-resistant trees and grove management innovations, struggled to maintain profitability. Compounding these issues, successive hurricanes have battered Florida’s agricultural infrastructure, further eroding the industry’s resilience.

In response, Alico is shifting its focus to non-citrus crops, following a broader trend of diversification among Florida farmers. This transition highlights an industry-wide effort to mitigate risks associated with climate volatility and disease outbreaks. Automation and precision agriculture are playing a crucial role in this shift, enabling growers to optimize resources and improve productivity in alternative crops.

The decline of Florida’s citrus sector has broader economic implications, impacting processing facilities, supply chains, and labor markets. Industry experts warn that without technological breakthroughs or new disease-resistant citrus varieties, more growers may be forced to pivot or exit entirely. As Alico’s exit reshapes the competitive landscape, stakeholders must rethink long-term strategies for sustainability in Florida’s agriculture. The industry’s next chapter will depend on innovation, resilience, and a willingness to embrace emerging agritech solutions.