'Despite the fact that we're seeing sharp inflation, in terms of food becoming unaffordable or scarce, these are not concerns that people should be having right now. 'When it comes to food, and this is especially true for fruits and vegetables, prices are lower today than they were 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago,' Volpe said.

Retailers are scrambling to try to keep prices low to keep consumers shopping, he said, and it helps to consider those prices in a historical context. Volpe said the effects of both situations will undoubtedly cause the cost of orange juice and oranges to rise, though he didn't expect it to be by much. The disease has persisted in the ensuing years and has further decimated orange crops during the economic turbulence seen throughout the pandemic. NBC News reported in 2018 on the effect that HLB had on Florida orange groves, which was exacerbated by Hurricane Irma.

Food and Drug Administration to lower its sugar content standards for juice. Infected trees bear fruit that are smaller, higher in acidity and lower in sugar, which has even caused Florida farmers to advocate for the U.S. The main culprit is the disease huanglongbing, also known as HLB or citrus greening, that has found a foothold in Florida orange groves. 'We have the overarching issue of disease coupled with just a low fruit set and extremely high fruit drop prior to harvest that is generally weather related,' said Larry Black, vice president and general manager of Peace River Packing Company, an orange grove farm in Fort Meade, Florida. An orange shows signs of 'citrus greening' or huanglongbing, in Fort Pierce, Fla., on May 13, 2013. However, the estimated supply of oranges for processing is at or close to a record low.

After taking a nosedive for more than a decade, demand for orange juice rose over the past two years. The situation is a tough one for Florida farmers.

Cuties oranges price