A Brief History of Florida Citrus

One of the fastest-growing states in America, Florida is famous for three things: theme parks, retirees, and citrus. The first two came to the Sunshine State relatively recently, while the third has been around for more than five centuries. In this brief article, we will tell the fascinating story of Florida citrus and how it helped our 27th state enter the modern era.

Early history

When Spanish explorers arrived on Florida’s shores during the early 16th century, the territory was inhabited by numerous native American tribes. According to legend, it was Ponce de Leon who planted the first oranges and citrus trees near St. Augustine, Florida, while in search for the Fountain of Youth.

Lemons and limes and grapefruit would follow, until citrus trees could be found growing freely in most of state’s forests. But it was not until the early 19th century that proper citrus groves and farms were established along and around major rivers and waterways. Although successful on a state level, these fruits could only be transported by boat, which meant they rarely made it out of Florida. Then the railroads came to town in the 1860s.

A growing industry

Although it took nearly 400 years for Florida citrus to turn into a profitable industry, it was well worth the wait. The state quickly overtook the other citrus-producing states–California and Texas–to become the national leader in fresh citrus shipments. This incredible growth was due to the fact that much of Florida has sandy soil and subtropical climates that are needed for growing fruits that originated in similar environments.

Milestones

• Soon after the railroads arrive (1866), annual commercial citrus production reaches 1 million boxes.
• More growers and better distribution helps that number climb to more than 5 million boxes in 1893.
• After decades of struggle due to bad weather and early freezes, production doubles to 10 million boxes in 1915.
• In 1950, Florida became the first state to bring a citrus crop of 100 million boxes to market.

Where are they now?

Because citrus is planted so widely throughout the state, the total number of boxes that are harvested each year depends on the weather. What we can tell you, however, is that there are more than 8,000 commercial citrus growers that work on nearly 550,000 acres of farmland in Florida. All told, that’s around 76,000 full-time worker who owe their livelihood to Florida citrus!

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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