Florida’s farmlands, particularly its iconic orange groves, are slowly recovering from the impacts of consecutive hurricanes, including the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The state’s citrus industry, already strained by diseases like citrus greening, faced severe damage during these storms. Many trees lost fruit, while groves still recovering from previous hurricanes were hit hard again.
Despite this, farmers remain optimistic about the future, as the rapid movement of Milton helped mitigate more severe root damage compared to earlier storms like Ian.
Efforts are ongoing to treat affected groves with therapies like trunk injections, which have shown promise in maintaining tree health.
Florida’s citrus output has faced a significant decline in recent years, with production plummeting by over 60% during the 2022-2023 season due to Hurricane Ian. As a result, the 2024-2025 season may see the lowest yield in decades, further threatening the industry’s survival.
Efforts by growers and agricultural experts continue to focus on helping groves recover through advanced treatments and irrigation management to prevent long-term damage.
