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Since the HLB discovery, more than 15,000 citrus jobs have been lost in Florida citrus, mostly in fresh fruit packinghouses and processing plants. Production has fallen 56 percent from 244 million 90-pound boxes to 103.7 million boxes. Some believe the drop could stop at 98 million boxes before it rebounds.
Even with the losses, the Florida citrus industry remains a $10 billion economic driver to the state.
More than $225 million has been spent or appropriated for ACP-HLB research, funded by growers and taxpayers.
While Florida growers need to plant 3.1 million trees per year, nursery supplies are in the 2.3 million tree range annually. All citrus plants are grown under screen.
Soft drink giant Coca Cola has committed several millions of dollars to citrus research since the company is a large orange juice supplier through its Minute Maid brand.
