Current:Home > NewsFastexy:You're likely paying way more for orange juice: Here's why, and what's being done about it -Secure Horizon Growth
Fastexy:You're likely paying way more for orange juice: Here's why, and what's being done about it
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-11 01:58:51
The Fastexyprice of orange juice continues to rise due to a disease costing citrus growers millions of dollars, according to federal government officials.
Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is the culprit behind the decline and scarcity of oranges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. While initially only present in Florida, the disease has since spread to parts of Texas and California.
"HLB is the most serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry in history," according to the USDA.
In June 2024, orange juice cost $4.26 per 16 ounces, which is two dollars more than it was in June 2020 ($2.36), the USDA's data shows.
“Citrus production in the United States [is a] pretty dire situation right now,” Daniel Munch, an 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.”
What is citrus greening?
Citrus greening is a disease caused by a bacteria called Liberibacter that most likely originated in Asia before the 1900s, and has since spread throughout the world in many citrus-growing areas, the USDA said.
In countries where HLB is endemic, different citrus trees, such as "sweet orange," begin to decline within 3 to 4 years after planting. This results in "reduced fruit crop and fruit quality," according to the USDA.
Citrus greening was first detected in 2005 in Florida. The disease had been identified in most of the citrus-growing counties in the state by 2008.
"Despite intense efforts, citrus greening now threatens the survival of Florida citrus, has a toehold in other citrus areas, and poses a threat to the entire U.S. citrus industry," the USDA said.
What is being done to control citrus greening?
Researchers with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ASR) are continuing to look into the problem, including the disease's pathogen, host, and insect vector, the federal agency said.
"We are making great progress in not only understanding how citrus greening infiltrates healthy citrus trees, but how to protect these trees from the disease," the USDA said. "Our goal is to overcome citrus greening and ensure the U.S. citrus industry can provide consumers with tasty, high-quality citrus fruits for years to come."
Another advancement made by the researchers includes the use of dogs to detect citrus diseases. A team of researchers trained 10 dogs to detect citrus greening and three dogs to detect citrus canker, another bacterial disease that affects citrus trees. The experiment had accuracy rates above 99.97%, according to the USDA.
The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service plans on deploying trained dogs over the next two years and is working with dog training companies to commercialize this service. Using trained dogs is the only available way to quickly detect citrus greening before visible symptoms, the USDA said.
veryGood! (165)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Virginia governor signs 64 bills into law, vetoes 8 others as legislative session winds down
- 10 years after lead poisoning, Flint residents still haven't been paid from $626.25M fund
- Roswell police have new patches that are out of this world, with flying saucers and alien faces
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Israel-Hamas cease-fire unlikely before Ramadan as Hamas delegation leaves talks, but says they'll resume
- Patrick Mahomes sent a congratulatory text. That's the power of Xavier Worthy's combine run
- Which movie should win the best picture Oscar? Our movie experts battle it out
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- NH troopers shoot and kill armed man during a foot pursuit with a police dog, attorney general says
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Alaska whaling village teen pleads not guilty to 16 felony counts in shooting that left 2 dead
- When is Ramadan 2024? What is it? Muslims set to mark a month of spirituality, reflection
- Students lobby to dethrone Connecticut’s state insect, the voraciously predatory praying mantis
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Female representation remains low in US statehouses, particularly Democrats in the South
- The total solar eclipse is one month away on April 8: Here's everything to know about it
- A Guide to 2024 Oscar Nominee Robert De Niro's Big Family
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Maryland Senate passes bill to let people buy health insurance regardless of immigration status
Alaska whaling village teen pleads not guilty to 16 felony counts in shooting that left 2 dead
Duchess of Sussex, others on SXSW panel discuss issues affecting women and mothers
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
How Barry Keoghan Paid Tribute to Sabrina Carpenter at Pre-Oscars 2024 Parties
The Kardashians Season 5 Premiere Date Revealed With Teaser Trailer That's Out of This World
California school district changes gender-identity policy after being sued by state