California citrus shippers saw freight rates fall sharply this week after a dramatic surge last week on several key produce lanes.
Rate Correction Follows Sharp Gains
Last week, rates climbed steeply on multiple California-to-East Coast corridors, including a 36% jump from Salinas to New York and a 66% increase from Santa Maria to New York. Shipments from South Texas to Baltimore also rose 27%. This week brought broad corrections across those same lanes.
Industry Support and Research Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $160 million to the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program. The funding supports new plantings, treatments, and growing methods while collecting data to guide long-term industry progress. An additional $20 million will go toward Citrus Nursery and Packing Equipment Grants for equipment purchases and facility upgrades.
California Program Secures Annual Funding
California’s citrus program has secured $2 million in annual federal funding. State researchers continue to monitor and combat citrus greening alongside efforts in Florida, where the disease has caused the most severe commercial damage. The CRAFT initiative also gathers and shares data on research effectiveness to assist growers statewide.
Regulatory and Trade Developments
The EPA has approved Soilcea’s CarriCea T1, the first CRISPR-edited rootstock designed to provide greening tolerance for Florida citrus. Separately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) expanded a Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine area in California. Updated plant health protocols are expected to support increased South African citrus exports to China.