Citrus Nursery Growers: Navigating Today’s Challenges and Opportunities
- Deborah Pagliaccia
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
The citrus nursery industry is facing a host of modern challenges—from illegal online sales to emerging pests and regulatory inconsistencies. Our recent survey gathered insights directly from industry professionals like you, offering a clear snapshot of current concerns, successful practices, and areas in need of innovation.
Below is a concise overview of the most notable themes and insights gathered.
1. Illegal Online Citrus Plant Sales
High Concern: A significant majority—over 60%—of respondents indicated they are extremely concerned about illegal online sales, and nearly 25% reported being very concerned.
Common Challenges: The top two concerns were customer confusion around certified vs. uncertified plants and unfair competition from lower-priced, non-compliant sellers (cited by more than 70% of those concerned).
Preferred Solutions: More than 60% of those surveyed support increased penalties for non-compliant sellers and improved monitoring. Over 50% favor direct collaboration with online marketplaces to remove illegal listings.
Key Takeaway: Growers overwhelmingly call for stronger enforcement, unified labeling, and public education to help customers distinguish legitimately certified citrus plants.
2. Certification and Labeling
Widespread Support: Roughly 85% of participants support creating a certification and labeling program for online sales that adheres to USDA protocols.
Importance of a National Logo/Tag: About 75% believe a nationally recognized logo or brand is very important or extremely important to help buyers spot certified nursery stock.
Key Takeaway: A clear, easily recognizable, and affordable labeling system would help level the playing field for compliant growers and reduce consumer confusion.
3. Outreach to New and Smaller Nurseries
Current Outreach Rating: Over 50% describe current outreach as slightly or moderately effective, indicating room for improvement.
Preferred Methods: The most popular channels include NCNA website resources, email newsletters, workshops/training sessions, and mentorship programs.
Key Challenges: 40–50% mention that complex protocols and limited resources are the biggest barriers for smaller operations.
Key Takeaway: Practical, low-cost guidance and mentorship can significantly strengthen compliance and engagement among newer or smaller growers.
4. Updates on New Citrus Pests and Pathogens
Top Threats: 90%+ flagged Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) as their primary concerns, with Citrus Canker also named frequently.
Flexibility in CNCP Protocols: Around 70% believe the current protocols must be more adaptive, with frequent calls for “science-based” and “living documents” that can respond quickly to emerging pests.
Key Takeaway: Nurseries want protocols that evolve in step with new discoveries—without imposing unmanageable burdens on day-to-day operations.
5. Harmonizing State and Federal Requirements
Regulatory Confusion: Over 60% of respondents reported experiencing inconsistencies between state and federal certification programs. Many cited issues with increased costs or shipping delays.
Need for Coordination: More than 80% emphasized that harmonizing these programs is very important or extremely important to reduce duplicative paperwork and confusion.
Key Takeaway: Streamlining state and federal protocols would reduce compliance headaches and help clean stock move more easily across state lines.
6. Business Diversification Strategies
Interest in Diversification: Roughly 75% of respondents say they are currently exploring or open to diversification, primarily through new crops, new markets (including online), and value-added services.
Main Obstacles: Financial constraints (mentioned by 60%), marketing/customer acquisition, and regulatory compliance stand out as common hurdles.
Key Takeaway: Growers are actively seeking ways to diversify but need concrete guidance and resources—both financial and regulatory—to do so successfully.
7. Pre- and Post-Mitigation Strategies
Pre-Mitigation: Over 80% reported using some combination of chemical treatments, physical barriers, and employee training—often rated as “very effective” or “extremely effective.”
Post-Breach Recertification: Nearly 70% want more clearly defined, science-based recertification pathways, with frustration over the length and complexity of the current process.
Key Takeaway: Rigorous prevention measures are common, yet there is a strong push for more transparent and evidence-based post-breach protocols to minimize downtime and losses.
8. Collaboration and Partnerships
High Value on Collaboration: More than 75% participate in or support industry partnerships, including research projects, information-sharing groups, or government-led initiatives.
Nursery Tours for USDA: Over 70% back the idea of hosting nursery tours for USDA representatives, seeing it as a way to improve mutual understanding of on-the-ground realities.
Key Takeaway: Growers believe that teaming up—both within the industry and with regulators—is key to tackling challenges like pest management and streamlining compliance.
9. Probability-Based Approaches and Advanced Monitoring
Emerging Interest: Approximately 60% are “moderately” to “extremely” interested in advanced monitoring tools (e.g., real-time insect sensors) and probability-based risk models.
Barriers: Around 50% cite the cost of technology and the need for technical expertise as the biggest concerns. Regulatory acceptance also remains a question for many.
Key Takeaway: Cutting-edge tools can improve pest detection and save money long-term, but upfront costs, training, and regulatory clarity must be addressed first.
10. Controlled Environment Pilot Crop Insurance Program (USDA RMA)
Low Familiarity: A large fraction—over 40%—are not familiar with the program.
Key Questions: Eligibility criteria, premium costs, and whether quarantine- or destruction-related losses would be covered top the list of uncertainties.
Desire for More Info: More than 70% expressed interest in learning how this insurance could offset the financial risks posed by pest or disease outbreaks.
Key Takeaway: Education on the Pilot Crop Insurance Program is crucial. Growers want to know if it can effectively protect their investments in a disease or quarantine event.
A Collaborative Path Forward
These survey responses highlight the citrus nursery industry’s commitment to continuous improvement—whether that’s stopping illegal online sales, adapting to new pathogens, or introducing advanced technologies. With further collaboration, expanded outreach, and ongoing policy refinement, we can secure a stronger, healthier future for all citrus nurseries.
We'd love to hear from you! If you haven't yet, please contribute your thoughts and experiences to our ongoing survey. Your feedback will help form the unified voice of citrus nursery growers.
Click here to participate in the survey(Replace “#” with the actual survey link.)
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