Market Struggles Squeezing Out Some Florida Citrus Associations
May 8, 2024 The Florida citrus industry has been enduring many challenges in recent times. HLB (aka, citrus greening) tops that list and has squeezed production of oranges and grapefruit to some of the lowest totals since the World War II era. The disease has not only been hard on trees and growers, but also industry stakeholders. The Gulf Citrus Growers Association, a fixture for growers since 1985, is reported to be shutting down.
In a letter to members, Gulf Citrus Growers Association President Wayne Simmons cites financial pressures related to citrus greening have caught up with organization. The board of directors decided to officially close the doors, effective May 13, 2024.
A portion of the letter reads as follows: “We can all be proud that the Gulf Citrus Growers Association members and leaders served the needs and concerns of the region’s citrus growers since its beginning in 1985. Thank you, Ron Hamel, our first Executive Vice President, who served faithfully for 30 years. Through your support and through the willingness of ‘grower’ leaders to give of their time and talents our organization definitely met and exceeded its mission and goas for nearly four decades.”
This news comes on the heels of another well-known regional citrus organization in Florida (Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association) ceasing operations after a 31-year run. Similar factors (“the continued decline in production, market fluctuations …”) led to its closing.
The Gulf Citrus Growers Association served producers in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.
Remaining regional citrus associations in Florida include: Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and Indian River Citrus League.
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