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Pfff… lots to digest from these past 5 days.

Enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Jan van Iperen · ectus

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– - JUICE & BEVERAGE NEWS - – —

Protein sodas are gaining traction in the beverage market as manufacturers respond to increasing consumer demand. This trend reflects a broader shift towards healthier drink options, with protein-enriched beverages appealing to health-conscious consumers. As beverage makers innovate and expand their product lines, the competition intensifies, leading to a diverse array of protein soda offerings aimed at meeting evolving consumer preferences in the mainstream market.

The Kayunga juice processing plant has remained idle for five years despite being designed to process 12 tonnes of juice daily. The facility was established to enhance local juice production and stimulate the economy. However, various challenges have prevented its operation, leading to concerns about lost opportunities for local farmers and the potential benefits the plant could have brought to the community.

— – - CITRUS NEWS - – —

Psyllid capture rates in São Paulo and the Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais region of Brazil increased significantly during the latter half of August, showing a 372% rise. This surge in psyllid populations may have implications for the citrus industry, as these pests are known to affect citrus crops. Monitoring and management strategies may need to be evaluated in response to this notable increase in psyllid rates.

In 2025, Argentina’s citrus juice segment (concentrated and frozen juices) reached an estimated ~94,072 metric tons, with lemon juice dominating at ~73,448 tons, followed by mandarin (~14,458 tons), grapefruit (~3,199 tons), and a sharp drop in orange juice to just ~2,967 tons. Lemon juices formed a key part of the lemon complex’s USD 510 million in exports (up 15.8% year-over-year), representing 29.9% of that value, while the broader citrus complex (excluding lemon) also featured unfermented orange juice among its top products amid overall citrus exports of USD 713 million. Concentrated juices contributed an estimated USD 203 million to the sector’s total production value of ~USD 1,471 million.

Florida's citrus industry faces a significant threat from a bacterial infection that is decimating citrus trees. In response, growers are exploring the potential of a gene-edited rootstock designed to resist this disease. This innovative approach aims to protect the remaining citrus trees and sustain the industry, highlighting the intersection of biotechnology and agriculture in addressing critical challenges faced by growers in Florida.

Heavy rain in the Eastern Cape has severely impacted the final stages of the citrus harvest, exacerbating what has already been an exceptionally challenging season. This week, minimal fruit has been harvested due to the adverse weather conditions. Growers are facing significant difficulties as the rainfall disrupts the completion of the harvest, marking a catastrophic end to the citrus season for many in the region.

Algarve citrus growers anticipate a yield of approximately 320,000 tonnes for the current season. However, they report that rising fuel costs and increased imports are negatively impacting their financial returns. The combination of these factors presents challenges for local producers, affecting their profitability and the overall market dynamics within the citrus sector in the Algarve region of Portugal.

— – - RESEARCH - – —

Over the past decade, UV-C irradiation has been utilized in the postharvest processing of apples, ranging from whole fruit applications to juice production. This technology has shown effectiveness in enhancing the safety and shelf life of fresh, minimally processed apples and apple juice. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements and applications of UV-C technology in the apple industry, highlighting its significance in food science and nutrition.

An integrated salt-assisted ultrasonic pretreatment–microwave extraction method (SA-UPME) was developed for the efficient recovery of essential oil from Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’. This method enhances extraction efficiency and allows for comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling of the essential oil components. The study highlights the potential of SA-UPME in optimizing essential oil extraction processes from citrus fruits, contributing to improved yield and quality analysis.

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR) essential oil, derived from dried citrus peel, is identified as a significant pharmacologically active component in traditional medicine. The essential oil contains various bioactive substances that exhibit therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This overview highlights the importance of PCR essential oil in promoting health and its possible applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

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