Climate Challenges Disrupt Morocco's Citrus Industry

Super happy to read that large volume companies like Del Monte Foods go front and center with their commitment towards upcycled ingredients.

We need more of that. If you have no clue what I am talking about, please have a look at the Upcycled Food Association. In short: Inefficacy in our food and consumer supply chains can be challenged by looking at what we can also use as ingredient.

Belly-staring sometimes leads to good stuff. 😉 

Juice News 🧃

Del Monte Foods Advances Food Waste Reduction Efforts with Upcycled-Certified Beverages

Del Monte Foods announced today that all nine of its JOYBA® Bubble Teas have received Upcycled Certified® status from Where Food Comes From, Inc., furthering the company's efforts in reducing food waste. Through these nine beverages, Del Monte Foods has successfully reclaimed 265 tons of sweetened syrup over the past year, reducing food waste through more sustainable practices.

THC drinks are flying off shelves. Can it last?

For years, beverage companies toyed with the idea of using THC in drinks. But cannabis is a tricky business. Marijuana is a “schedule I controlled substance” in the United States, meaning companies that sell marijuana products legally don’t get certain tax benefits. The classification also makes it hard for those firms to get funding from financial institutions wary of breaking federal laws.

So drink makers avoided cannabis. Then the 2018 farm bill changed the game.

Molson Coors Beverage Co rolls out alcohol-free Naked Life in US

“We’ve been watching the non-alc RTD space for quite some time,” said Molson Coors’ VP of non-alcoholic beverages, Kevin Nitz. “Naked Life ticks all the boxes. Whether relaxing beachside or attending a cocktail party with friends, it’s another way to give consumers a choice when they are choosing not to drink but still want to be part of the occasion.”

The Vita Coco Company, Inc. Major Shareholder Sells $129M in Stock

The Vita Coco Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:COCO) major shareholder VERLINVEST BEVERAGES SA sold 3,766,762 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.25, for a total transaction of $129,011,598.50.

Indonesian Beverage industry calls for policy synergy amid economic slowdown

The Indonesian soft drink industry has called for coordinated policy measures to maintain sectoral stability in 2025, as early signs of an economic slowdown and weakening consumer demand pose significant challenges to the food and beverage sector.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, the Indonesian Soft Drink Industry Association (ASRIM) and the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia presented recent performance data, economic forecasts, and pressing concerns faced by beverage producers.

Shift: Elizabeth Stephenson Named CEO of SYSTM Foods to Accelerate Growth Across Leading Better-For-You Beverage Brands

SYSTM Foods is the parent company of three pioneering better-for-you beverage brands: REBBL®, Chameleon Organic Coffee®, and Humm® Kombucha. The company was formed as a joint venture between SYSTM Brands and GroundForce Capital to invest in and scale category-leading brands that offer consumers functional, organic, and sustainable beverage choices.

Alani Nu sets the path for future growth after passing $1bn milestone

Alani Nu’s sales rocketed 72.4% in the 52-week period ending April 13, 2025, as reported by Circana data, pushing Alani Nu past the billion dollar milestone.

The achievement has been fueled by ‘accelerated brand growth, strong and unique innovation, and a growing female energy drink consumer segment seeking better-for-you, functional beverages that fit their health and wellness lifestyles’.

Citrus News 🍊

Morocco’s citrus industry grapples with climate challenges

With over 1.5 million tons produced annually—including 500,000 tons for export—the citrus industry is a strategic pillar of Moroccan agriculture. It supports more than 13,000 rural families, generates 32 million workdays, and relies on a network of 50 packing stations and 4 juice factories.

Between 2010 and 2016, the area under citrus cultivation expanded from 98,000 to 128,000 hectares, spurred by the Green Morocco Plan and public-private partnerships on Sodea lands. Production followed suit, increasing by 59% over six years to reach 2.6 million tons in 2016.

U.S. Citrus Industry Applauds House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson for Prioritizing Emergency Citrus Disease Funding

“As leaders of the citrus industry, we have long advocated for dedicated federal support to address citrus disease challenges through science-based solutions,” said Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Chairman Thompson’s leadership reinforces that the needs of our growers are being heard.”

Dale Murden, President of Texas Citrus Mutual, added: “This is an encouraging step forward for the citrus industry. Our growers are navigating increasing biological threats and economic pressures, and investments like this make a real difference in ensuring a future for U.S.-grown citrus.”

Namibian Agronomic Board meets citrus industry to discuss growth trajectory

Citrus constitutes the third most popular group of fruits with consumers after apples and bananas yet Namibia imports 96% of its citrus at a cost of nearly N$60 million per year. To date, citrus farmers have imported just over 150,0000 citrus trees at a cost of more than N$136 million. The year, citrus farmers expect to harvest 1700 tonnes of fruit.

According to a statement published by the Agronomic Board on their facebook page, the board intends to invest N$250 million over the next five years in developing the crop value chain.

Robotized Vending: "We provide oranges from various origins for our customers to taste the difference of varieties"

"Our flagship product, IJOOZ smart orange juicer, is just one of many smart food solutions we offer. We are a vertically integrated, tech-powered food robotics platform built for scale, precision, and global reach. Our machines serve a wide demographic and are widely deployed in malls, transit hubs, and busy urban spaces. We provide oranges from various origins for our customers to taste the difference in varieties.”

Research Worth Reading 🔬

Genetic architecture of Sieve Element Occlusion (SEO) family and potential genetic regulations associated with Citrus Huanglongbing

These findings improve the understanding of SEO protein dynamics and evolutionary conservation, highlighting their role in phloem biology. Further investigation of these SEO genes and their promoters in the plant response to HLB could help identify specific targets for developing disease-tolerant citrus varieties through genetic engineering.

Spatial and temporal detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in Diaphorina citri through optimized scouting, sampling, DNA isolation, and qPCR amplification in California citrus groves

In field populations, detection rates in nymphs were consistent or stable throughout the year, whereas CLas detection in adults exhibited seasonal variation, with CLas detection and genome load peaking in January. These targeted ACP sampling strategies and optimized laboratory processing methods will facilitate CLas detection in psyllids for streamlining citrus greening disease management.