Florida Department of Citrus

What Florida Department of Citrus does

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is an executive agency of Florida state government, established in 1935 and headquartered in Bartow, FL, charged with marketing, scientific research, and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. It serves Florida citrus growers, processors, and packers — represented by the nine-member Florida Citrus Commission — by promoting Florida orange juice, fresh oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and mandarins domestically and in international markets (Canada, Japan, South Korea, France, and Pan Europe). Core products supported include 100% Florida Orange Juice (over 90% of Florida oranges go to juice production) and fresh citrus fruit, with a "Where to Buy" directory, gift fruit shipping service, and recipe content driving consumer engagement across owned social channels (Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube).

The agency's underlying technology platform is built around scientific research rather than software: a Scientific Research Department housed at the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred conducts hesperidin phytonutrient analysis, citrus greening (HLB) disease research spanning short-term interventions (nutritional supplements, reflective mulch, heat treatment, bactericides) and long-term biotechnologies (Citrus Under Protective Screen, genetic modification), and chemical quality verification of citrus byproducts. An Economic and Market Research Department based in Gainesville manages industry data and partnerships with UF's Florida Agricultural Marketing Research Center. Strategic alliances with UF/IFAS, USDA APHIS, the International Food Information Council, and USDA's MyPlate program extend FDOC's research and policy reach.

The business model is assessment-funded: growers pay a per-box levy on each box of citrus moving through commercial channels, supplemented by licensing revenue from citrus dealer regulation. FDOC does not sell citrus directly or set consumer pricing; instead it generates demand and protects industry economics through marketing campaigns, health-professional outreach, foodservice partnerships (Outback Steakhouse South Korea, Publix, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chef Joel Gamoran), regulatory oversight, and scientific research output. The industry FDOC supports employs more than 45,000 people and generates an estimated $8.6 billion in annual economic impact to Florida, though the agency itself operates with 11-50 employees and a budget derived entirely from grower assessments.

Name

Florida Department of Citrus

Legal name

Florida Department of Citrus

Website

https://floridacitrus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Florida Department of Citrus is a Florida state executive agency, established in 1935, that markets, researches, and regulates the Florida citrus industry. It is funded by per-box grower assessments and serves Florida citrus growers, processors, and packers through domestic and international promotion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bartow

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grower Assessment: Activities funded by an assessment paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The agency also generates revenue through regulatory activities including licensing of citrus dealers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

FDOC is an executive agency of the State of Florida that markets, researches, and regulates the Florida citrus industry. Its core offerings are domestic and international marketing campaigns promoting Florida oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, 100% orange juice, and 100% grapefruit juice; scientific research on citrus health benefits and citrus greening (HLB) disease solutions; economic and market research for industry decision-making; and statutory regulatory oversight covering citrus maturity standards, dealer licensing, labeling, packing, and processing.

Product overview

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research, and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by an assessment paid by growers on each box of citrus. The FDOC operates two main web properties: a consumer-facing site (floridacitrus.org) promoting Florida citrus products including fresh oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, 100% orange juice, and 100% grapefruit juice; and an industry/grower portal providing economic resources, market reports, legal information, and scientific research. The organization also maintains a recipes section and health & nutrition resources. The FDOC is governed by the Florida Citrus Commission and supports an industry employing more than 45,000 people with an annual economic impact of $8.6 billion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 100% Florida Orange Juice 100% pure Florida orange juice; more than 90% of Florida oranges are used to produce this juice, and about half of the orange juice Americans drink originates in Florida. Marketed to consumers as a flagship Florida citrus product.
• Florida Oranges Fresh whole Florida oranges marketed to consumers via the FDOC consumer-facing website, retail partners, and grove stands.
• Florida Grapefruit Fresh whole Florida grapefruit marketed to consumers domestically and in international markets including South Korea, Canada, Japan, France, and Pan Europe.
• Mandarins & Tangerines Fresh Florida mandarins and tangerines marketed to consumers as part of FDOC's product lineup.
• 100% Florida Grapefruit Juice 100% pure Florida grapefruit juice marketed to consumers domestically and internationally.
• Citrus Gifts Gift fruit shipping service allowing consumers to send Florida citrus products to friends and family, promoted via FDOC's 'Where to Buy' directory and grove-stand network.
• Domestic and International Citrus Marketing Programs Coordinated marketing campaigns targeting consumers, health professionals, and the foodservice industry across the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, France, and Pan Europe, executed with local agency partners such as Yamano & Associates.
• Foodservice and Sports Marketing Partnerships Co-branded promotional partnerships with restaurants (e.g., Outback Steakhouse South Korea), sports teams (Tampa Bay Lightning), brewers (Blue Moon Brewing Company), and chefs (Joel Gamoran) that embed Florida citrus into menus, beverages, and consumer experiences.
• Citrus Health and Nutrition Research FDOC-sponsored research on citrus health benefits, including hesperidin (a phytonutrient found in 100% orange juice) and its links to heart and vascular health, blood sugar control, and immune support, used to communicate evidence-based nutrition information.
• Citrus Greening (HLB) Disease Research Research program on short-term solutions (nutritional supplements, reflective mulch, heat treatment, bactericides) and long-term solutions (Citrus Under Protective Screen/CUPS and biotechnologies including genetic modification) to combat citrus greening disease.
• Citrus Chemical Analysis and Quality Verification Independent chemical analysis of citrus and byproducts to verify quality, consistency, and nutritional benefits for the Florida citrus industry.
• Economic and Market Research Services Collection, analysis, and reporting of economic and market research data for the Florida citrus industry, coordinated with the University of Florida's Florida Agricultural Marketing Research Center.
• Citrus Industry Regulation and Dealer Licensing Statutory regulatory oversight covering research, production, maturity standards, licensing, transportation, labeling, packing, and processing for the Florida citrus industry, including licensing of citrus dealers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual economic impact of $8.6 billion to Florida
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and minor.

• Yamano & AssociatesregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerFDOC's agency partner in Japan that conducts Florida Citrus educational tours and marketing activities in the Japanese market.
• International Food Information CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDOC partners with the International Food Information Council on nutrition communication and research dissemination to consumers and health professionals.
• USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and PromotioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDOC partners with USDA's MyPlate program to communicate that 100% fruit juice can be part of a healthy diet and help meet fruit intake recommendations.
• Outback Steakhouse South KorearegionalGTM or Marketing Partner'Fresh From Florida' continues to 'Mix It Up' with grapefruit cocktails in South Korea's Outback Steakhouse Restaurants as part of international marketing promotion.
• Tampa Bay LightningregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership between Florida Orange Juice and the Tampa Bay Lightning for sports marketing, consumer engagement, and brand visibility.
• Blue Moon Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlue Moon Brewing Company teamed up with FDOC to support local orange growers. Blue Moon donated $10k to support Florida Citrus industry.
• Chef Joel GamoranregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerFDOC partnered with Chef Joel Gamoran on five fun recipes that bring the goodness of 100% OJ to his Homage cooking community and all Florida citrus consumers.
• Erin AndrewsregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerErin Andrews is featured as a new face of Florida Citrus, bringing nutritious twist to tailgating content and consumer outreach.
• University of Florida (UF/IFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDOC collaborates with UF/IFAS on citrus research including the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Dr. Rosa Walsh oversees FDOC research efforts collaborating with UF researchers.
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDOC collaborates with USDA APHIS on economic analysis of policies to control spread of pests and diseases threatening US agricultural industries including Florida citrus.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunkist Growers: Historic California-based citrus marketing cooperative that promotes and markets fresh oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Comparable to FDOC's marketing arm in function, but operates as a private grower cooperative rather than a state agency.
• Tropicana Brands Group: Major branded orange juice manufacturer whose product ( Tropicana Pure Premium ) is sourced heavily from Florida oranges. Operates downstream of FDOC's growers and is a key channel for the Florida OJ supply FDOC promotes.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Broader Florida state agriculture agency that houses additional regulatory, marketing, and consumer services functions. Comparable as a sister state government body that FDOC's leadership frequently interfaces with.
• USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: Federal agency overseeing marketing orders, commodity research, and promotion programs nationwide. Provides the federal framework under which FDOC and similar commodity boards operate, making it the closest federal-level structural peer.

Direct peers

• Almond Board of California: Federal marketing order/commodity board that conducts research, marketing, and industry regulation for California almonds under a USDA oversight structure. Closely analogous to FDOC's model of grower-funded marketing and research for a single commodity.
• California Avocado Commission: State commodity board that markets California avocados and funds production research through grower assessments. A direct structural analog to FDOC in scale, funding model, and the combination of marketing plus research for a single crop.
• Dairy Management Inc. National dairy checkoff organization funded by farmer assessments that funds research, marketing, and promotion. Operates the same grower-assessment funding model as FDOC at a national scale, making it a structural analog.
• California Citrus Mutual: California-based grower trade association representing citrus producers on regulatory, research, and marketing matters. Most directly comparable to FDOC as another state-level citrus industry body, with overlapping regulatory advocacy and marketing functions.
• Florida Citrus Mutual: Florida-based trade association representing citrus growers before state and federal government. Overlaps with FDOC on grower representation and policy advocacy, though FDOC is the state agency while Florida Citrus Mutual is the industry association.
• Texas Citrus Mutual: Industry organization supporting Texas citrus growers through advocacy, research funding, and marketing. Comparable to FDOC as a state-level citrus industry support body, though at smaller scale and in a different growing region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OJfromFlorida
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrzgjYj-buOyslexOCswSmQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FloridaOrangeJuice
• Instagraminstagram.com/floridaorangejuice
• Pinterestpinterest.com/floridaoj

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Florida Department of Citrus