Why Fresh California Oranges Are Getting Harder to Find and More Expensive

Key points

• A devastating, incurable disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) is threatening California's $7 billion citrus industry, which supplies over 80% of America's fresh citrus.
• The fight against the disease and the insect that spreads it has dramatically increased costs for growers, leading to higher prices for oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits at the supermarket.
• To combat the threat, the industry is using a combination of costly pest control, the release of millions of tiny parasitic wasps, and a race to breed disease-resistant trees.
• If the containment efforts fail, the U.S. could see a dramatic drop in the supply of fresh citrus, similar to the 90% production collapse experienced in Florida.
• Consumers should expect continued price pressure on citrus and potential future availability issues, highlighting the hidden vulnerabilities in our food supply chain.

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