- Juice News
- Posts
- Florida January Citrus Forecast Update. Steady at 12M boxes
Florida January Citrus Forecast Update. Steady at 12M boxes
📈 And there is an uptick in awareness and signaling about what is and what is not healthy in the FMCG beverages category.
Jan van Iperen
January 14, 2025
For Professionals in the Juice and Citrus industry
I do not often touch the alcoholic beverage category here, but when I do, it usually is because the changes in that sector have an effect on the juice sector.
2 more alcohol-related articles that caught my attention that are worth sharing:
Of the latter, it is shocking to see how much alcohol is consumed without knowing: “Less than half of Americans are aware that alcohol consumption increases cancer risk.”
Seeing all the different trends moving, I think that 2025 will be a game-changer.
In Today's newsletter:
🧃 Juice News
Del Monte’s 100 percent pineapple juice has been a perennial favorite of many drinkers, being the trusted brand and the juice of choice among many for almost a hundred years. This is due to the company’s industry sourcing and juicing approach that focuses on freshness and fruit quality with its same day farm-to-can process.
The pineapples are handpicked from its 30,000-hectare plantation in Bukidnon; immediately tested for quality and ripeness to ensure only the best of the harvest are prepared for juicing.
Recognizing a growing consumer interest in higher protein content, plant-based shake producer Koia has unveiled its latest product line, Koia Elite. Offered in two flavors – Vanilla and Chocolate – each 12 oz. bottle has 32 grams of protein derived from complete pea protein containing all nine essential amino acids.
Anyone keeping an eye on their diet knows their beverage choice can be just as important as what they’re eating. In fact, sugary drinks are commonly cited as a significant concern when it comes to weight gain, diabetes, and other health concerns. Those who only crack the occasional can may not think they have much to worry about health-wise. But it actually might come down to which brand you’re buying, as one doctor says people should avoid Celsius energy drinks “like the plague.”
Australians are increasingly seeking healthier and more sustainable beverage options, according to a recent report by Canvas8.
The report, Why Aussies Want a Functional Future for Soft Drinks, said that growing concerns over excessive sugar consumption, rising obesity and diabetes rates, and the environmental impact of plastic waste are pushing the soft drink industry to adapt.
Australians consume over 2.4 billion liters of sugary beverages each year, contributing to rising obesity and type 2 diabetes rates. Experts are calling for a 20% tax on sugary drinks, which could raise $1.4 billion over two years.
The beverage industry has expressed concern regarding the implementation of recycled plastic norms, pointing to inadequate availability and limited infrastructure to produce food grade recycled plastics.
As per the regulations notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which will be enforced from April 1, beverage makers will need to ensure that 30 per cent of recycled plastic is used to make Category-1 packaging.
🍊 Citrus News
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes, unchanged from the December forecast. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 5.00 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.00 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
Specialty crop growers might be aware of the disease sweeping through Florida’s citrus industry. Its impact has been tremendous and has tested the survival of the state’s signature crop. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the official confirmation of citrus greening disease (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) in Florida.
In the past two decades, the state’s output of citrus plummeted by about 90%. Yet the industry survives, and growers continue the fight to overcome the disease and restore the industry to a viable status. Some say the word “resilience” has become an overused term to describe farmers, but Florida citrus growers embody its meaning in the HLB fight.
“These growers are regular people who took a chance years ago that the trees they planted would not only bear fruit, but would find a market,” said Dr. Dan Beckmann, CEO of Foodshed.io. “Working with our partners at Kroger, we’ve been able to help these growers with the elusive last step of reaching consumers and building a brand to market their incredibly hard work.”
Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association, expressed optimism about upcoming logistical developments in his latest From The Desk of the CEO newsletter, predicting that the 2025 citrus season will feature an interesting mix of events in the logistics and shipping space.
He noted that his positive outlook stems from proactive steps taken by the industry last year, including an open line of communication and mutual understanding with the Minister of Transport and all the forward-thinking people in the citrus logistics space, which have laid the groundwork for a smoother logistical year.
Navigating the orange juice trading market requires a deep understanding of various factors, from market fundamentals and trading instruments to technical analysis and seasonal impacts. By leveraging futures and options contracts, traders can manage risks and take advantage of market opportunities. Keeping an eye on major producers and historical data helps anticipate price movements, while understanding trading hours and contract specifics ensures compliance and effective planning. Armed with these strategies, traders are well-equipped to succeed in the dynamic world of orange juice trading.
Note: Everything in this article points to “written with AI”, but it still has informational value. Speak to peers in the industry if you are seriously considering.
🔬 Research Worth Reading
Researchers at the Southern Federal University (SFedU), in Russia, have unveiled a groundbreaking eco-friendly alternative to harmful pesticides, harnessing the power of citron juice, Gulf Agriculture reported.
This innovative development has the potential to mitigate the 14% of global crop losses attributed to post-harvest pathogens, offering a sustainable solution to a critical challenge in agriculture.
The OD treated lemon peel powder exhibited substantial retention of bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid (4.1 mg/g) and total phenols (2.3 mg gallic acid/g), surpassing untreated controls. This enhanced bioactive profile underscores its potential as a sustainable and functional ingredient in nutraceutical applications.
Five strong ACE inhibitory peptides with IC50 values ranging from 0.31 to 1.93 mg/mL were identified, and their concentrations were found to decrease after frozen storage and pasteurization. As far as we know, this study is the first to focus on low-abundance peptides in industrial samples of orange juice, providing data on their alterations during a six-year monitoring analysis of frozen storage and before and after pasteurization.