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High OJ Prices: Why and How to Fight Back?

Citrus greening costs growers millions as OJ prices soar in the US.

Published July 31, 2024 at 2:10pm by Jonathan Limehouse

Orange juice prices are soaring due to a bacterial disease, #CitrusGreening, which has cost growers millions. The [USDA] (https://aglab.ars.usda.gov/learn-and-explore/citrus-greening-portal) says the disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), has impacted Florida, Texas, and California citrus farms, calling it the "most serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry in history." OJ prices reflect this, now at $4.26 per 16oz, a significant rise from 2020's $2.36. [Data] (https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17850#P4a51390b22024a20a4b3c13fd1885100_2_63iT0R2R0x0)

"Citrus production in the United States [is a] pretty dire situation...lack of supply...prices for consumers shoot up." - Daniel Munch, [American Farm Bureau Federation] (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/31/why-us-citrus-is-facing-a-shortage-crisis.html)

Citrus Greening: The Culprit

Citrus greening, caused by Liberibacter bacteria, likely originated in Asia pre-1900s and has spread worldwide. The USDA states that trees like "sweet orange" begin to decline within 3-4 years, reducing fruit yield and quality. First detected in Florida in 2005, it now threatens the entire US citrus industry.

The Response:

USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) investigates HLB, with promising progress. Their goal is to protect trees and ensure a sustainable supply of quality citrus. They've also trained dogs to detect HLB with a 99.97% accuracy rate, a vital tool for early detection. [Source: USDA]