The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has released a final notice regarding the revision of orange juice grading standards. This rulemaking aims to lower the required minimum Brix content for orange juice. The changes are intended to update grading criteria, reflecting current industry practices and market conditions. This final notice marks an important step in the regulatory process for orange juice grading.

Beverage flavor trends in the U.S. are evolving rapidly, influenced by shifting consumer demands that drive innovation in the market. Seven key flavor trends are anticipated to significantly impact the beverage industry by 2027, reflecting the dynamic nature of consumer preferences and the industry's response to these changes. Companies are expected to adapt their offerings to align with these emerging trends to meet market expectations.

Varun Beverages has announced the acquisition of Devyani Food Industries (Kenya) for approximately Rs 305 crore, equivalent to $32 million. This strategic move aims to enhance Varun Beverages' footprint in the African market, specifically in the dairy, juice, and water sectors. The acquisition reflects the company's ongoing efforts to diversify its product offerings and strengthen its market position in the region.

The European Union is at the forefront of deposit-return systems (DRS) for beverage containers, according to a recycling technology provider. These systems are gaining traction globally, with DRS policies expanding beyond Europe. The commentary highlights the importance of adopting best practices in DRS implementation, emphasizing the potential benefits for recycling rates and environmental sustainability as more regions consider similar initiatives.

On 24 June 2026, AIJN members convened in Bonn for the General Assembly and Board meeting, reflecting on a successful year for the association. During this meeting, members reaffirmed their common priorities and re-elected Javier Lorenzo as President. The gathering focused on evaluating past achievements and establishing strategic directions for the future, emphasizing collaboration among European fruit juice stakeholders.

Manus has commenced production of monk fruit sweetener in the United States, utilizing a fermentation process at its Augusta BioFacility located in Georgia. This development marks a significant step for the company in expanding its sweetener offerings domestically. The facility is designed to enhance production capabilities, aligning with the growing demand for natural sweeteners in the food and beverage industry.

The 2026 State of the Beverage Industry report emphasizes the influence of consumer trends on the carbonated soft drink (CSD) market. Key trends identified include a growing demand for functionality and flavor, which are significantly shaping product offerings and consumer preferences within the category. These trends indicate a shift in how beverage companies approach the development and marketing of carbonated soft drinks to meet evolving consumer expectations.

Florida's citrus industry is set to benefit from nearly $196 million in state investment aimed at accelerating recovery efforts. This funding is essential for local growers as they navigate challenges posed by citrus greening, hurricanes, and extreme weather events. The financial support is expected to play a pivotal role in revitalizing the sector and ensuring its sustainability in the face of these ongoing adversities.

Citrus growers actively express their desires for specific varietal characteristics that could enhance their production. The Nursery Variety Development and Management Committee (NVDMC) frequently receives these suggestions from growers, indicating a strong interest in improving citrus varieties. This ongoing dialogue highlights the importance of grower input in shaping future developments in the citrus nursery sector, aiming to meet industry needs and preferences.

Want to dive deeper in citrus? Coming in 2026: citrodex.com

Essential oils extracted from the rind of Citrus species (family Rutaceae) contain a variety of significant chemical components valuable to the food and perfume industries. These oils have been the subject of extensive research over recent decades, highlighting their importance and volatility. The study employs a multivariate chemometric approach to analyze the composition of essential oils from major Egyptian Citrus cultivars, contributing to the understanding of their diverse applications.

This study presents a deep learning-based decision support system aimed at optimizing stress-induced fruiting in Citrus reticulata, specifically tangerines. The proposed system addresses the challenges of managing stress during cultivation, enhancing fruit yield and quality. By leveraging advanced computational techniques, the research seeks to improve decision-making processes for growers, ultimately contributing to more efficient agricultural practices in tangerine production.

This study optimized a natural, additive-free jelly using date syrup and orange albedo powder combined with lemon juice. The research focused on quality attributes and processing-induced modifications of citrus pectin. The D-optimal mixture design was employed to enhance the formulation, ensuring improved sensory characteristics and stability. The findings contribute to the development of healthier jelly alternatives, emphasizing natural ingredients without additives.

The study investigates the relationship between leaf symptom variations in Ponkan mandarin and the presence of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) infection under field conditions. While it is known that Huanglongbing (HLB) is linked to CLas infection in Ponkan mandarin, the specific connection between the observed leaf symptoms and the CLas titer remains ambiguous, highlighting the need for further research in this area.