Is the Citrus Fruit Industry at Breaking Point?

Exploring the threats - and the future - of one of the world's most beloved fruit categories

By The Drink Edition | July 2025

Once seen as the bright and bountiful jewel of agriculture, the citrus industry is now grappling with existential threats that could reshape it forever. From climate change to incurable plant diseases, growers around the world are asking: is the citrus fruit industry at breaking point?

The Disease That's Shaking Citrus to Its Roots

Citrus Greening Disease - or Huanglongbing (HLB) - is arguably the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced. Spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, this bacterial infection causes fruit to become misshapen, bitter, and inedible. The trees themselves eventually die, and there is currently no known cure.

Florida, once the citrus capital of the world, has seen its orange production fall by more than 70% in the past two decades. Brazil, another citrus heavyweight, is also fighting outbreaks. HLB isn’t just a problem for oranges - it affects lemons, limes, and grapefruits too.

Climate Pressure Is Mounting

Citrus fruits are highly sensitive to changes in climate. Droughts in Spain, floods in California, and heatwaves across southern Italy are affecting harvests year after year. Warm winters can reduce fruit quality, while severe storms - including hurricanes - have devastated groves in the US and Caribbean.

The unpredictability of weather now means many growers can’t guarantee yield, let alone profitability.

Costs Are Rising, Labour Is Falling

As with many farming sectors, the citrus industry is being squeezed by rising input costs. Fertiliser, water, and energy are more expensive than ever. Add in tightening pesticide regulations in the EU and UK, and many farmers are left with fewer tools to protect their crops.

Labour shortages, particularly in harvesting seasons, have become a recurring issue. In the US and across Europe, a decline in seasonal agricultural workers is pushing costs higher still - or leaving fruit to rot unpicked.

A Squeeze, But Not the End

So is the citrus industry really doomed? Not quite - though it is undergoing a painful transition.

Researchers are investing in HLB-resistant varieties through traditional breeding and biotechnology. Precision agriculture - using drones, smart irrigation, and satellite mapping - is helping optimise water use and improve yields.

Meanwhile, some countries are emerging as new citrus zones. As global climates shift, parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and even southern UK may see expanded citrus potential in the coming decades.

Growers are also diversifying. Many are moving into more resilient fruit crops, or shifting into value-added markets - citrus oils, mixers, liqueurs, and artisanal preserves — where margins are better.

The Future of Citrus

The global appetite for citrus is still strong. From classic lemonades and orange juices to zesty liqueurs and botanical gins, citrus remains central to the drinks world.

The industry is not doomed - but it must evolve. It’s a race between biology, technology, and economics. If growers can adapt quickly enough, citrus will survive this crisis. If not, we may one day be telling our children that oranges used to grow in Florida.