Citrus is one of the leading fruit crops produced in the United States. Cooperatives play an important role in the handling and marketing of both fresh and processed citrus products. This report examines the development and position of cooperatives in the citrus industry, their functions and operating practices, and the impact of changes in production practices and industry structure on cooperatives. Cooperatives range from small, local fresh packinghouse associations to large cooperative federations with comprehensive marketing and sales programs in both fresh and processed markets. Cooperatives are among the leading marketers in all producing areas, and are the dominant marketing organization in California and Arizona. Citrus cooperatives use the pooling method to market and allocate returns. This cooperative practice of averaging price and sharing risk is commonly used by some private citrus firms as well, reflecting the inherent volatility of citrus production.