Palm Trees and Perishables

The Not-So-Sunny Side
Of course, things aren’t always sunny and bright for Florida’s wholesalers, growers, and distributors. Most agree labor poses a significant threat to businesses across the state and the nation. “Labor is the number-one industry challenge we currently face,” says Wishnatzki.

Another is state-centric: the decreased availability of citrus. Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing or HLB, has affected every citrus-producing county in Florida. “Although growers have been able to slow down citrus greening through fertilizers and temperature controls, this has increased production costs,” Swords explains.

Future Forecast
Despite the ups and downs, most Florida suppliers remain optimistic. “Although we continue to face many challenges, a positive trend for the produce industry is a steady increase in consumer demand,” emphasizes Wishnatzki. “With education and awareness, more and more families are incorporating fruit and vegetables into their daily diets.”

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