Texas Citrus Acreage Falls as Rio Grande Valley Harvest Begins

The citrus harvest in the Rio Grande Valley has begun, and producers are reporting a healthy crop for the current season. Despite steady growth in the industry, long-term trends show a sharp decline in the total land dedicated to fruit production. The region currently supports only about 25 percent of the citrus acreage it held decades ago.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller attributed the loss of farmland to urban expansion. He noted that acres of citrus groves have been cleared to build data centers and shopping malls. Miller stated that the land is now valued more for commercial use than for agriculture, and the industry is not planting enough new trees to replace those removed. As a result, the number of citrus producers in the state continues to shrink annually.

Fred Karle, a longtime producer in South Texas, confirmed the reduction in acreage. He said the crop this year is looking good and is already moving into the market. Karle added that while the fruit quality is strong, he would prefer the size to be a little larger. He also noted that additional rainfall would be beneficial as the harvest continues.

Grapefruit remains a central part of the local harvest. Karle described the local produce as the best in the world and noted that the picking season can extend through April. He also observed that changing consumer tastes are influencing what growers plant. Meanwhile, Miller highlighted new export opportunities that are helping offset some local losses. Texas citrus has recently entered the South Korean market for the first time in 30 years, with new openings also found in Vietnam and other parts of Asia.