American Organic Citrus Is #1! Why Are We Importing Citrus?

American organic citrus farmers produce the best quality organic oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes in the world, but oddly enough we still continue to import citrus. Thanks to the off peak as well as peak season imports, American citrus farmers are now facing a problem with the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). It has become the most important insect pest of Florida citrus due to the presence of citrus greening disease spread by the psyllid. In other regions of the world where citrus is grown and greening disease is present, use of insecticides to control the psyllid vector has been a major component of greening management strategies. Who exactly is monitoring these chemicals? How can we trust the producers that are in far-away lands where there is no regulation? Why do we continue to import citrus when we have the best in the world right at our fingertips? Perhaps it is because most people have not taken the time to connect directly with the farmers who grow our food and understand what great lengths they go to in order to produce fine quality organic foods. In America, organic citrus farmers have opted to go back to basics in order to save their trees as they continue to produce the best tasting citrus.

In 1999, Matt McLean ventured into the organic juice business with a passion for healthy living as well as a long family history of growing citrus in Florida. Matt’s goal was, and still is, to produce the highest quality juice, using only premium 100% organically-grown fruit that is free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. His company, Uncle Matt’s Organics is the leading producer of premium certified organic citrus from Florida.

Tune in to this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, as host, June Stoyer is joined by special guest, Matt McLean to talk about what organic citrus farmers are doing to protect their farms.