Florida’s unique subtropical to tropical climate establishes it as a major agricultural state in the United States. Mild winters and ample sunshine position the state as a primary domestic source for fresh produce when production shuts down in much of the rest of the country. This long growing season allows Florida to supply a wide array of commodities, ensuring consumers across the eastern U.S. have access to domestically grown produce from fall through spring. The state’s output includes citrus fruits, seasonal vegetables, and high-value ornamental plants.
Florida’s Signature Citrus Industry
Florida is historically synonymous with citrus, and it remains a massive commercial crop, with oranges making up the largest percentage of the state’s citrus production. The industry primarily focuses on two categories: fruit for processing into juice and fresh fruit for immediate consumption. Valencia oranges are the most widely grown variety, prized for their high juice content, which makes them the leader for processed orange juice production.
Other key orange varieties include the Hamlin, the second most common juicing fruit, and the Navel orange, popular for fresh eating due to its seedless nature. Grapefruit is another major Florida citrus crop, with both white and pink varieties grown. Tangerines, also known as mandarins, are valued for their small size and easy peeling. Specialty citrus like the Minneola tangelo, a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit, and the aromatic Key lime are also grown.
The majority of commercial citrus groves are concentrated in Central and South Florida, where the climate provides the best protection from freezing temperatures. While the industry has faced challenges from disease and urbanization, Florida’s groves still account for a substantial portion of the total citrus produced in the United States.
Major Field and Winter Vegetable Crops
Florida plays a substantial role in supplying the nation with fresh vegetables, particularly during the winter and early spring months when northern states cannot grow outdoors. The state is a leading domestic producer of fresh-market tomatoes, which are harvested almost year-round, with peak production occurring from October to June. Other major field crops include sweet corn, bell peppers, snap beans, and cucumbers, for which Florida is a top national producer.
These crops often thrive in the rich, dark muck soils of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), a vast farming region south of Lake Okeechobee. The state’s cool-season gardening also yields substantial harvests of potatoes, cabbage, and squash, which hit the market early in the year. This extensive vegetable production window, which runs from November to May for many items, allows for a consistent and reliable domestic supply when other sources are limited.
Tropical Fruits and Specialty Produce
The warm, humid conditions of South Florida allow for the cultivation of various tropical and specialty fruits, differentiating the state’s agricultural profile. Avocados represent Florida’s second-largest fruit industry after citrus, with commercial growers cultivating more than 50 varieties. Unlike the small, bumpy-skinned Hass avocado, many Florida varieties are larger, smoother, and have a lower oil content.
Mangos are a distinct tropical crop, thriving in the warmer microclimates of the southern region. Specialized berries, most notably strawberries, are grown commercially during the winter, with the harvest season running from December to April. The state also produces crops like the Persian lime, which is harvested year-round.
- Lychee, a small, sweet fruit.
- Longan, often called dragon’s eye.
- Passion fruit, known for its tart flavor.
These niche tropical items require the consistently warm temperatures found near the coast.
High-Value Non-Food Horticulture
Florida’s largest agricultural sector by sales is the high-value ornamental and horticultural industry, not food crops. This sector encompasses the production of several items:
- Nursery stock
- Greenhouse products
- Cut flowers
- Turfgrass (sod)
The state’s subtropical climate is ideally suited for the mass cultivation of tropical and indoor plants, which are shipped across the country. The nursery and greenhouse segment produces ornamental plants and landscaping materials used both within the state and exported to other markets.
Turfgrass, or sod, is a significant component of this industry, valued for its use in residential and commercial landscaping. Collectively, the sales from plant producers, including nurseries and sod farms, contribute billions to the state’s economy, often surpassing the total cash receipts of many food crop categories.