Citrus bacteria may be hurting Florida's job base.
A study published by UF this month found that a bacterial disease that kills Florida citrus trees has cost the state economy about $3.6 billion in the past six years.
The study, conducted by researchers within UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, found that the reduction of orange juice production due to the disease also cost the state 6,600 jobs.
This is the first time the bacteria's impact on Florida's economy has been studied, although the disease has been around Florida for six years, said Tom Spreen, a UF food and resource economics professor.
The study compared actual harvests of juice-producing oranges with projected harvests that could have taken place if greening had not affected Florida citrus groves, he said.
The research was funded by Florida Citrus Mutual, an organization that supports the state's citrus growers.
Alan Hodges, an extension scientist with the food and resource economics department, said the disease affects everyone in the state because of the lost income.
He hopes the study will enlighten state legislators when they determine funding for research.
"In China and in Brazil, where they also have this disease, it has completely wiped out citrus production in some areas," he said.
Spreen said he believes there is potential to find an effective solution.
"It would be hard to imagine Florida without orange juice," he said.
