Overview

Citrus, which originated in Southeast Asia, is characterized by fragrant flowers and edible juicy fruit. Today, the most important commercial varieties include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines and to a lesser extent, tangelos and temples.

The major citrus producing states in the United States are Florida, California, Texas and Arizona. Of these four states, Florida produced 65 percent of the total U.S. citrus crop in 2011, California produced 32 percent, and Texas and Arizona combined produced the remaining 3 percent.  April 2013 . . . Citrus

Marketing

• California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) - The 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, Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center, University of California - Also has citrus information specific to Texas and to Florida.
• Citrus Fruits, National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS), USDA.
• Citrus: World Markets and Trade, Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA. 
• Florida Citrus Mutual - Florida Citrus Mutual is the trade organization for growers, shippers and processors.
• Florida Department of Citrus.
• Fruit and Tree Nut Yearbook, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
• Global Ag Trade System, FAS, USDA.
• The Japanese Market for Oranges, ERS, USDA, 2008 - This article reviews the trade, production and consumption of oranges in Japan, which is one of the largest markets for U.S. orange exports. Consumption and trade peaked in the mid-1990s.
• Market Reports, Florida Department of Citrus - Various reports of market outlooks, trends, exports and imports. Includes the four-week interval A.C. Nielsen sales to grocery, drug and WalMart stores.
• 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.
• Texas Citrus Mutual - This trade association representing Texas citrus growers was founded 50 years ago to market the industry on behalf of its members. More recently, the association has focused on production issues, launching a first-in-the-nation tree insurance program and combating citrus greening and other diseases and pests.
• 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 - This 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 online newsletters and updates on topics relevant to Central Valley citrus production.
• Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida - Provides online 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

• Florida Department of Citrus
• Highland Exchange Service Cooperative (HESCO), Waverly, Florida, USDA - This business profile examines a citrus industry support cooperative.
• Recovery of Citrus Oil and Molasses, 2001 - The Original Juice Company took advantage of the opportunity to recover valuable co-products from byproducts 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 ten largest marketing cooperatives in America and the largest cooperative in the world's fruit and vegetable industry. 
• Visalia Citrus Packing Group, Visalia, California - This company 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 January 2013.