The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Turfgrass Producers of Florida conducted their first sod inventory and pricing survey. The purpose of the survey was to determine the sod inventory levels, prices, and markets for Florida. This publication is intended for sod producers and end users to evaluate sod production and availability in Florida.
Survey Details
Electronic surveys were sent to 50 members of the Turfgrass Producers of Florida on January 7, 2025, to determine sod inventory levels and pricing. Twenty-six responses were received, resulting in a 52% response rate. The summary of the producers’ locations (some producers are located within multiple zones) is as follows:
- North Florida (Ocala north) = 5 producers
- Central Florida (south of Ocala to a line from Vero Beach to Tampa) = 9 producers
- South Florida (remaining area) = 16 producers
The participants in the survey had an estimated 31,914 total acres in production and represented farm sizes of the following ranges:
- Up to 300 acres = 4 producers
- 301–900 acres = 10 producers
- 901 or more acres = 12 producers
The survey obtained inventory level estimations, projected inventory levels for the six months following the survey, and anticipated changes in acres over the next year. For this survey, projected inventory levels were estimated as above average (greater than 10% of anticipated demand), adequate (about equal to anticipated demand), and below average (more than 10% below anticipated demand). Additionally, the current average prices, expected price changes over the next year, and primary markets for sod were collected.
Inventory Levels
Fourteen survey participants produced 12,110 combined acres of bahiagrass (Table 1). Of the producers, 14% had above-average, 43% had adequate, and 43% had below-average projected inventory levels.
Thirteen survey participants produced bermudagrass with 2,664 total acres in production (Table 1). Of the producers, 23% had above-average, 62% had adequate, and 15% had below-average projected inventory levels. Looking forward, 29% of the producers anticipated adding acres, 14% projected removing acres, and 57% would remain the same.
Three survey participants, all of whom were in north Florida, produced 155 total acres of centipedegrass (Table 1). Of the producers, 33% had above-average, 67% had adequate, and 0% had below-average projected inventory levels.
Two survey participants produced perennial peanut as sod, and four produced seashore paspalum. Inventory levels are reported in Table 1.
Twenty-one survey participants produced over 14,000 total acres of St. Augustinegrass (Table 1). Of the producers, 9% had above-average, 43% had adequate, and 48% had below-average projected inventory levels. Thirty-two percent of the producers anticipated adding acres, 0% projected removing acres, and 68% would remain the same.
Sixteen survey participants produced 2,753 total acres of zoysiagrass (Table 1). Of the producers, 19% had above-average, 56% had adequate, and 25% had below-average projected inventory levels. When asked about anticipated changes, 21% of the producers anticipated adding acres, 5% projected removing acres, and 74% would remain the same.
Table 1. Approximate sod inventory levels (in acres) in production in Florida, 2024.
Sod Pricing
Table 2 reports the 2024 average sod price per square foot (sod only; not including transportation costs) based on species and location. The data serve as a baseline from which future pricing trend reports will track changes in the industry. Over the next year, 46% of the surveyed producers expect sod prices to increase, and 54% expect prices to remain at current levels. None of the survey participants anticipate a decrease in sod prices over the next year.
Table 2. Current sod prices (in dollars per square feet), not including transportation costs, in Florida, 2024.
Markets
The primary markets where producers sold their sod are found in Table 3. As with pricing, this data will be used in future reports to track changes in the market. The largest market for sod across Florida was landscape contractors. The second largest market varied across geographical zones in Florida and included existing developers, golf courses, and brokers. The smallest market across the state was government projects.
Table 3. Estimated percentage of producers’ sod sold to primary markets in Florida, 2024.
Future Plans
The objective of this survey was to obtain initial, baseline data for the sod production industry in Florida. The goal is to conduct the survey annually to provide a historical perspective and to track changes in sod production in Florida. The sod industry and end users can then utilize the information to assess inventory levels and prices of sod in Florida.