Florida Citrus Facts
Citrus has been farmed commercially in Florida since the 1800s. Today, the industry is worth more than $9 billion. Here are three interesting facts you may not have known about Florida citrus. Florida Citrus is More Than Just Oranges Florida citrus farmers grow many different types of citrus. In addition to oranges, grapefruit and tangerines are also popular choices. Ortaniques is a popular specialty and is grown most often during the months of October through April. Not All Oranges or Grapefruits are Made the Same Normally when someone thinks of an orange or grapefruit the person imagines a full-size, round piece of fruit of a specific color, with the navel orange being the most popular image of Florida citrus. But the reality is there is a wide variety of citrus even within specific fruit types. Unique types of oranges include navel oranges, ambersweet, Hamlin and Valencia. Navels of course remain the most popular type of orange. Honeybells are also popular but what many people don’t realize is that the Honeybell is in fact not an orange at all but rather a hybrid fruit called a tangelo. A tangelo is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit. Grapefruit varieties include Ruby Reds, Duncans, Thompsons and flames. Each variety of orange and grapefruit tends to have its own prime-growing season. Florida Continues to Dominate the Citrus Business In a world where just about everything seems to be outsourced overseas, you might be surprised to learn that when it comes to market share, there is almost no one in the world that can touch the Sunshine state. Florida provides the United States with about 70 percent of its total citrus every year. More than 90 percent of the United States orange juice is made from Florida oranges. On a worldwide scale, only the country of Brazil puts out more in orange juice production than Florida. Almost all Florida citrus is picked, packed and processed within the United States. The citrus industry is responsible for more than 75,000 American jobs and Florida citrus is one of the country’s biggest overseas exports.
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Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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