Why orange juice is so expensive

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/31/why-us-citrus-is-facing-a-shortage-crisis.html

by cnbc_official

8 comments

  1. U.S. orange production has plummeted as the industry faces volatile threats from extreme weather events, an incurable disease and economic pressures.

    Citrus growers are losing millions of dollars every year, according to the [United States Department of Agriculture](https://scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-discoveries/southeast/guarding-against-citrus-greening#:~:text=Citrus%20greening%2C%20also%20known%20as%20Huanglongbing%20(HLB)%2C%20is%20a%20disease%20costing%20citrus%20growers%20millions%20of%20dollars%20annually.%20Once%20present%20only%20in%20Florida%2C%20the%20disease%20has%20spread%20to%20parts%20of%20Texas%20and%20California.%20HLB%20is%20the%20most%20serious%20threat%20to%20the%20U.S.%20citrus%20industry%20in%20history). 

    At the same time, orange juice futures have hit record highs.

    “Citrus production in the United States [is a] pretty dire situation right now,” Daniel Munch, economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation, told CNBC. “When you have a lack of supply that’s unable to meet demand, prices for consumers shoot up.” 

    Florida has seen a dramatic orange production decline in recent years. According to the USDA, there were over 658,000 orange acres in Florida in 1998. As of 2023, there were just over 303,000 acres of oranges planted in Florida, or a total acreage drop of more than 50% in just 25 years.

    Read more: [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/31/why-us-citrus-is-facing-a-shortage-crisis.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/31/why-us-citrus-is-facing-a-shortage-crisis.html)

  3. It’s becoming a luxury item. Invest in orange juice now!

  5. It’s just a ton of sugar anyway. People need to learn how to drink regular water.

  6. Florida orange groves are selling out to developers. Quick money, no work. Directly related.

  7. I don’t know, but Sam’s finally put back their fresh squeezed OJ back on the shelves. I’m not a fan of the national variety.

Leave a Reply