Agriculture Under Pressure: The Economic, Environmental, and Development Drivers Transforming Florida Agriculture

Florida (FL)’s agriculture sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to biological shocks, environmental stressors, import competition, and accelerating urbanization. Citrus greening, laurel wilt, and hurricane-related damage have sharply reduced yields and acreage, while rising imports from Mexico and Brazil erode market share and depress prices. Urban development and recreational land-use expansion are accelerating land-value increases, which in turn drives farmland loss and abandonment. This policy-oriented review synthesizes these pressures and evaluates state policy responses. Our findings highlight the need for integrated strategies that improve resilience, strengthen land conservation, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of FL’s agricultural sector.