Florida Citrus Growers Poised for a Comeback

Just a few years ago, when icicles hung from Florida’s fruit trees and strange spots sprouted on their leaves, there were doubts whether the state’s citrus industry would survive the decade.

But despite the losses of millions of trees to wintry weather and disease, growers now are gearing up for a bumper crop that is expected to herald growth and prosperity in the 1990s.

Florida Citrus Mutual, the state’s largest growers’ association, predicts the state’s 1989-90 orange output will exceed the 146.6-million boxes produced in the previous growing season, which was the best in eight years.