Department of Citrus

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What is the purpose of the department?

The Department of Citrus seeks to maximize consumer demand for Florida Citrus products to ensure the sustainability and economic well-being of Florida Citrus growers, the citrus industry, and the State of Florida.

What are the responsibilities of the department?

The Department of Citrus is responsible for citrus marketing, research, and regulation. Department goals include

improving perception of nutritional benefits of Florida orange juice among millennial moms and consumers in the U.S.;
increase consumer awareness and perception of benefits of Florida citrus products in international markets; and
provide research support to marketing and public relations programs and the Florida citrus industry.

What is the Florida Citrus Commission?

The Florida Citrus Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor to represent citrus growers, processors, and packers. The commission serves as the board of directors and agency head for the department. It is responsible for setting the annual amount of excise tax as well as quality standards for all citrus grown, packed, or processed in Florida.

How much citrus does Florida annually produce?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that as of May 2019, Florida will produce more boxes of oranges than any other state.
Oranges. The USDA estimates that as of May 2019, Florida growers will produce 72.4 million boxes of oranges in the 2018-19 crop year, an increase of approximately 27.4 million boxes when compared to the 2017-18 crop year.
Grapefruit. The USDA estimates that as of May 2019, Florida growers will produce 4.5 million boxes of grapefruit in the 2018-19 crop year, an increase of approximately 700,000 boxes when compared to the 2017-18 crop year.

How are these activities funded?

The department is funded primarily through a statutorily authorized assessment on each box of citrus moving into commercial channels of trade. However, because of declines in the orange crop yield due to citrus greening and increased grower costs to battle this disease, the commission lowered assessment rates over the last five years and thus reduced the department's revenues.

Fiscal Year: 2020-21

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
CITRUS, DEPARTMENT OF
	AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS MARKETING	19,538,640	6.00
	CITRUS RESEARCH	3,996,555	7.00
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	2,837,486	14.00
TOTAL		26,372,681	27.00

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Citrus Reference Book, Florida Department of Citrus, February 2018.
Estimating the Greening Effect on Florida Citrus, C.B. Moss and M. Bampasidou, University of Florida, March 2014.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Citrus Research and Education Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc.
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 601 and s. 20.29, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Citrus, 1-863-537-3999
Website