The following is from the Georgia Department of Agriculture:
We hope to again, be able to ship fresh fruit to Florida in 2025 to be packed. As in previous years, the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services will almost certainly require groves to be inspected and found free of HLB, Sweet Orange Scab, Citrus Blackspot, and Citrus Canker. This inspection is to be done no more than 30 days prior to Harvest.
This is a voluntary program and not a requirement of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. It is the grove owner’s responsibility to meet all deadlines and pay inspection fees.
2025 Fees:
- For groves up 25 acres: $75.00 inspection fee
- For groves exceeding 25 acres: $3.00 per acre inspection fee
- Late fee: $200 for failure to meet deadlines
2025 Deadlines:
- September 10, 2025: All Growers who wish to export fruit to Florida for packing must register with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division
To register, email Arthur Tatum (Arthur.Tatum@agr.georgia.gov) or call the Tifton Office at (229) 386-3464. Your registration must include:
- the name of your business
- the physical address to your grove(s)
- GPS coordinates of the grove(s)
- the varieties you intend to ship
- The name of the packer(s) that you intend to ship fruit to, along with the physical street address and GPS Coordinates for the packing facilities, as well as the person of responsibility and a phone number for the contact at the packer or packers that you desire to ship fresh citrus fruit to for grading, packing, and distribution.
Please only send fruit to packers in Florida who are under a compliance agreement with the USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to treat for Citrus Canker and other diseases!
