Overview

Citrus originated in Southeast Asia and is characterized by fragrant flowers and edible juicy fruit. Today the most important commercial varieties, subsequently discussed in this commodity profile, include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines and to a lesser extent, tangelos, temples and limes.  February 2006 . . . General Citrus Industry


Sources

• Lemon Production and Consumption, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2004.
• Oranges: The Most Consumed Fruit in America, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2002 - This three-page report gives an overview of U.S. orange production, consumption and usage.
• Tangerines: The Easy-Peel Citrus, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2003.
• U.S. Leads World in Grapefruit Production, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2005.

Marketing

• California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) is the largest amateur nonprofit fruit-growing organization in the world, with members in 48 states and U.S. territories, and 30 countries. The organization has a general interest in all aspects of fruit growing with a primary focus on semitropical fruits and uncommon fruits and vegetables.
• Citrus Crop Information, The University of California Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center - Has citrus information also specific to Texas and to Florida.
• Citrus: World Markets and Trade, FAS, USDA, 2007.  
• Consolidated Markets, Brand Competition and Orange Juice Prices, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2002 - This study examines the pricing behavior of brand marketers, wholesalers and retailers. It includes observations of leading national brands and private local brands of orange juice products during a one-year period.
• Florida Citrus Mutual - Created in 1948, Florida Citrus Mutual is the trade organization for growers, shippers and processors.
• Market Prices, AgroInfo Americas! - A listing of various national and international markets, futures markets and reporting services. 
• Shipping and Sales Data (Florida) - Various reports of market outlooks, trends, exports and imports. Includes the 4-week interval A.C. Nielsen sales to grocery, drug and WalMart stores. Florida Department of Citrus Economic and Market Research Service.
• Texas Citrus and Subtropical Fruits, Texas A&M University - This site contains an overview of Texas citriculture, including a breakdown of orchard establishment costs and economics, that is particularly helpful with respect to understanding marketing regulations, as well as production, utilization and demand. Some analysis is given to the primary outlets for Texas citrus. 
• Trade Adjustment Assistance and California Commodities, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2004.
• The Ultimate Citrus Page - The site is primarily oriented toward Florida’s regional citrus production but contains a selection link for California, Texas and Arizona information. The market and industry information presented at the site is comprehensive and includes management resources, news links, market information, information on and links to various trade and production organizations, as well as government statistical data.

Production

• The Citrus Research Board (CRB) Web site is specifically designed for growers, packers and others involved in California citrus production to obtain information on work supported through the activities of the California Citrus Improvement Program.
• Arizona Citrus Resources, University of Arizona - The Arizona Citrus Newsletter is a collaborative project between the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service.
• Citrus Research, University of California Kearney Agricultural Center - Various on-line newsletters and updates on topics relevant to Central Valley citrus production.
• Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida - Provides on-line and has links to citrus bibliographies and indexes, as well as commercial packers and shippers, industry organizations, germplasm and varietal collections, and industry historical information.
• University of California Citrus Links - A directory of links to various subject areas.
• University of Florida, IFAS Extension - A directory of links to various subject areas.

Businesses/Case Studies

• The Albritton Fruit Company - This company was founded in 1880 by Captain Thomas H. Albritton. 
• Conoley Citrus - Example of a grower, packer and shipper who has various direct-to-consumer gift plans of Florida oranges, grapefruits, honeybells (cross between a Dancy Tangerine and a Duncan Grapefruit) and tangelos.
• Florida Department of Citrus
• Highland Exchange Service Cooperative (HESCO), USDA - This business profile examines a citrus industry support cooperative in Waverly, Florida.
• Recovery of Citrus Oil, 2001 - The Original Juice Company took advantage of the opportunity to recover valuable co-products from by-products obtained from orange peels. 
• Sunkist Growers Inc. - Sunkist is a leading international citrus supplier and one of the world’s most respected brand names, yet it does not own a single citrus grove. Sunkist is one of the 10 largest marketing cooperatives in America and the largest cooperative in the world's fruit and vegetable industry.
• Visalia Citrus Packing Group (VCPG) is a licensed commercial shipper of Sunkist Growers Inc. It is one of California's largest, most progressive and successful citrus-producing and -packing organizations.

Links checked February 2008.