"Citrus greening disease is primarily transmitted by a sap-sucking bug known as the Asian citrus psyllid. Once the psyllid starts gnawing on a defenseless orange tree, it's pretty much a done deal; the tree's leaves become yellowed and flaccid, and its fruit wilted and green."
"Given the state of the outbreak, it's entirely possible greening disease heralds the total collapse of Florida's orange industry over the next few years."
"In 2023, Florida produced 242 million 90-pound boxes of oranges. For the 2026 harvest season, the US Department of Agriculture estimates Florida's orange groves will put out just 12 million boxes, the state's worst output in over 100 years."
"It's already been a dumpster fire of a year."
Florida's orange groves are experiencing a significant decline in production, primarily due to citrus greening disease, which affects all orange trees in the state. This bacterial infection, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, leads to yellowed leaves and wilted fruit. The USDA predicts a drastic drop in production from 242 million boxes in 2023 to just 12 million boxes by 2026, marking the worst output in over a century. Experts warn that the disease could spread further, threatening the entire Gulf Coast's citrus industry.
Read at Futurism
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