Click here to learn more about the history of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association (Microsoft PowerPoint presentation - 4 MB).

• Warm weather and gentle Gulf breezes make Southwest Florida appealing to tourists and residents alike. It does good things to citrus, too.
   
• Oranges, grapefruit and specialty fruit grown in these ideal conditions mature earlier and are loaded with juice and full of flavor. Fresh citrus buyers also like the bright color, thin skin and clean look unique to fruit from Florida's Gulf Citrus region.
   
• Because Gulf Citrus matures early, buyers can extend their season - and their market shares.
   
• Many in the industry agree that Gulf Citrus is some of the finest citrus grown anywhere on earth.
   
• The Gulf Citrus Growers Association is a trade association representing citrus growers in Southwest Florida. Gulf Citrus addresses key issues of economic importance to the sustainable growth and development of the citrus industry of Southwest Florida. These issues include land and water use, environmental regulation, farmworker relations, transportation, domestic and international trade and marketing programs. The association also serves as the "Gulf" citrus industry voice on other important issues impacting the area's agriculture industry. The association is supported by volunteer grower membership and participation, as well as by support from allied trades, agribusiness and associate members.
   
• The Gulf region produces approximately one-fifth of Florida's bountiful citrus crop, which means citrus has a $1 billion impact on the five-county region. The 2005-06 harvest reached almost 28 million boxes for the Gulf region!

• Florida's Gulf Citrus Production area encompasses five counties located in S.W. Florida, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties. Hendry County has more orange trees planted than any other Florida County with 25.6 million trees. With over 169,000 acres of citrus, the Gulf Citrus Production area produces the first grapefruit available each season with the highest quality available.