Major grower abandons Florida citrus operations amid hurricane devastation

In December 2024, Alico Inc., a significant citrus grower based in Fort Myers, Florida, declared its decision to end citrus growing operations. This choice is largely influenced by the decline of citrus production in Florida over the last few years, particularly exacerbated by a series of hurricanes and tree diseases. The company cited a staggering 73% reduction in its citrus production during the last decade, attributing this drop to the cumulative effects of hurricanes Irma, Ian, and Milton, coupled with the ongoing issue of citrus greening disease that has weakened their trees. The company plans to manage approximately 3,400 citrus acres through third-party caretakers for another season until 2026, after which they will entirely cease operations. Alico Inc. currently owns over 53,000 acres across eight counties in Florida but is shifting its strategy to explore alternative land uses. They have also indicated that a portion of their land holdings will be allocated for potential commercial or residential developments moving forward. These shifts in operations and strategy come as the Florida citrus industry has been facing significant challenges. Florida’s citrus production has been on the decline for around two decades, primarily driven by various citrus diseases and environmental factors such as hurricanes. Recent forecasts indicate that Florida’s orange production for the 2024-2025 season is expected to drop by 20% due to damage from Hurricane Milton, which could result in production levels that are significantly lower than previous years. As Alico Inc. reassesses its operations, this move reflects a broader trend among Florida growers exploring alternative uses for their land due to diminishing economic viability linked to citrus production. The decision is expected to result in a workforce reduction of up to 172 employees, and the company has already notified juice producer Tropicana about these changes.