As Citrus Declines, A Multibillion-Dollar Global Market Beckons with a Sustainable Alternative
With Florida’s iconic citrus industry facing continued challenges, a new crop is sprouting on the horizon: bamboo. A University of Florida expert says that with a worldwide market valued at nearly $67 billion, this versatile plant could offer a lucrative alternative for some growers looking to diversify their crops.
Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), part of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), points to bamboo as a promising solution. “Bamboo is a good alternative crop to diversify beyond citrus,” Rogers said. “The clumping bamboos grow well in Florida, can be grown on existing grove land and there is demand for the product.”
The potential uses for bamboo are vast. The shoots are a staple in Asian cuisine, while the stalks can be processed into furniture, construction materials, and textiles. Sourcing this raw material domestically would significantly reduce import costs and help foster a robust U.S. market. Rogers noted that facilities for processing edible shoots and lumber are already emerging in Florida, indicating a clear demand that growers can supply…