This week, a major Florida citrus grower announced it will discontinue its citrus operations, highlighting the challenges faced by the state’s iconic crops due to hurricanes and tree diseases.

Alico Inc. revealed on Monday that it plans to wind down its citrus operations after harvesting the current crop later this year. Approximately 3,400 acres (1,376 hectares) of citrus will be managed by third-party caretakers through 2026.

Based in Fort Myers, the Florida company owns 53,371 acres (21,598.5 hectares) across eight Florida counties and 48,700 acres (19,708 hectares) of oil, gas, and mineral rights in the state. A quarter of its land will now be earmarked for potential commercial or residential development in the future.

RELATED: Florida Citrus Industry Faces Historic Low Harvest Following Hurricane Milton

Alico reported a 73% decline in citrus production over the past decade. The combined effects of Hurricanes Irma in 2017, Ian in 2022, and Milton in 2024 on trees already weakened by citrus greening disease have made citrus growing economically unfeasible, according to John Kiernan, Alico’s president and CEO.

The company anticipates reducing its workforce by up to 172 employees and has informed juice producer Tropicana of its decision, as stated in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

For the past two decades, Florida’s citrus production has been on the decline due to citrus disease, prompting some growers to explore alternative uses for their land.

Last month, agriculture officials reported a 20% drop in Florida’s orange production forecast for the 2024-2025 season, citing damage from Hurricane Milton. If the projected 12 million-box output is realized, it will be 33% less than the previous season’s final production.

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(Image credit: AP)
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