Texas Oranges Get Pricier: Citrus Fees Climb to 7 Cents
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you grow oranges or grapefruit in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, get ready to pay a bit more! The fee per 7/10-bushel carton is proposed to jump from 4 cents to 7 cents starting in the 2025-2026 season and will stay that way unless changed. This helps support the citrus industry, and you have until May 29, 2026, to share your thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Assessment Increase to $0.07
If you handle oranges or grapefruit grown in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, the assessment charged per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent would increase from $0.04 to $0.07 starting August 1, 2025. The $0.07 rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Handlers' Assessment Obligation Rises
The Committee estimates shipments of about 3,600,000 7/10-bushel cartons or equivalent for 2025-2026; at the current $0.04 rate that generates $144,000, and at the proposed $0.07 rate it would generate $252,000. The Committee recommends the increase to cover $209,970 in budgeted expenditures and to rebuild the financial reserve.
Growers May Bear Some Costs (~0.5%)
The rule applies assessments uniformly to handlers, and the text notes that some of the assessment costs may be passed on to producers. Using an estimated average producer price of $14.15 per 7/10-bushel carton, the $0.07 assessment equals about 0.5 percent of producer revenue.
No New Reporting or Records
The proposed rule does not add any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements for Texas citrus handlers. The Order's current information collection is already approved (OMB No. 0581-0189) and this rule does not change that requirement.
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Key Dates
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