The Florida citrus industry has seen some promising investments so far this year. In the 2025 Legislative Session, nearly $140 million was appropriated for the citrus industry. The largest block of those funds is earmarked for the Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation, Inc. (CRAFT). The CRAFT Foundation was founded to fund field trials to determine the efficacy of various citrus greening treatments and therapies, identify disease-resistant varieties, and other related activities to increase and aid existing commercial citrus production in the state.
The CRAFT Foundation has announced the application cycle for their Year Seven Programs, which will be open through October 3rd at 5 p.m. EST. The Year Seven Programs introduced “Emerging Varieties” and “Fast Track” options. The program details, payment structures, and application information can be found here.
The remaining $35 million was appropriated to programs like the Citrus Recovery Program and marketing efforts through the Florida Department of Citrus, new variety development, increased budwood propagation for trees and seedlings tolerant or resistant to greening, citrus packinghouse equipment cost-share and more.
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed a public comment period on August 4, 2025, regarding the registration of SoilCea’s CarriCea T1 rootstock. While it is still undergoing additional review at the EPA, if registered, this rootstock has strong potential to better equip growers in fighting citrus greening and in cultivating stronger trees.
Lastly, Senator Ashley Moody has introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025. This Act strives to update a decades old federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice, which would lower the brix level, or minimum sugar content, from 10.5˚ to 10˚. This proposed change is not expected to have any impact on the overall taste or quality of the product. FDA published a proposed rule that is currently open for public comment through November 4, 2025.
