Preliminary Citrus Summary 2025-26: All Citrus Down 28%

Hope that everyone (in the US) had a great Labor Day Weekend!

Back at it and there is a lot going on!

Juice News 🧃

Ambev Revives Returnable Glass Bottle for Guaraná Antarctica in Sustainable Packaging Push

Ambev, a major Brazilian beverage company, has reintroduced the 1-litre returnable glass bottle for its popular soft drink, Guaraná Antarctica, in collaboration with O-I Glass. This sustainable packaging initiative aligns with Ambev's environmental goals, allowing each bottle to be reused up to 30 times before being retired. This move reflects a broader push towards more eco-friendly packaging solutions in the beverage industry.

The Rise of Dirty Soda: A Trend Taking the Beverage Industry by Storm

The "dirty soda" trend is making waves in the beverage industry, with a 270% surge in social media discussions over the last year, indicating its growing popularity and impact on consumer preferences.

Activist investor pushes for PepsiCo turnaround with $4B stake

Elliott, now one of PepsiCo’s largest investors, said the CPG maker should consider refranchising its company-owned bottling network to independent bottlers similar to its archrival Coca-Cola and review its food operations to divest underperforming assets. PepsiCo also should communicate how it will implement these and other initiatives to accelerate growth and improve profitability.

Survey reveals that up to 80% of drivers mistake alcoholic beverages for energy drinks and flavored water

A recent survey highlights that up to 80% of drivers mistake alcoholic beverages for energy drinks or flavored water due to misleading can packaging, including colors, flavors, and images. This confusion poses a significant risk on the road.

Arla Foods Ingredients showcases protein juice drink solutions for South America

Arla Foods Ingredients is highlighting the potential for South American brands to leverage its whey proteins in developing protein juice drinks.

Citrus News 🍊

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3 Citrus Updates from the Florida Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service:

• Commercial Citrus Inventory Preliminary Report; 2025
  All Citrus Acreage Down 24 Percent

• Citrus Summary 2024-2025, Preliminary 2025
  All Citrus Production Down 28 Percent

• 2024-25 Forecast Components Update
  In line with the above, all downward adjustments

Lack of reciprocity in preliminary EU-US trade deal has European fresh produce industry up in arms

Through a press release, Spain's Interprofessional Association of Lemon and Grapefruit said they're not concerned by the strategy, as they don't expect an increase in volumes as a result. With only a 6.4 percent market share, US lemons are not a significant player in the market, they explain.

Brazil: Volume of oranges sent to the industry increases in late August

As for the industry, inventories built at the beginning of the season have still not reached a satisfactory standard, due to high limonin and low ratio of some batches. These characteristics have limited the attractiveness of the Brazilian orange juice for purchasers from abroad, who still look for high-quality product. As a result, the industry has boosted the demand for high-quality fruits.

South African citrus exports to Russia on strong growth curve

South African citrus exports to Russia have shown consistent growth, as indicated by data from Trading Economics.

Murcia is developing new grapefruit varieties

The Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA) is working on developing new grapefruit varieties in Murcia to boost production, improve quality, and expand the range of options available to consumers.

How Much Higher Can Frozen Orange Juice Futures Run From Here?

November orange juice futures are viewed as a buying opportunity due to anticipated price strength, suggesting potential for further upward movement in the market.

Peruvian citrus exports increased by 16 percent

Peruvian citrus exports have increased by 16% compared to the previous year, with 251,053 tons exported during the 2025 season up to week 33. This growth reflects a positive trend in the citrus industry, highlighting Peru's strong performance in the export market.

From Citrus to Bamboo?

Bamboo presents a lucrative opportunity for Florida growers seeking alternative crops amidst citrus challenges, with a global market worth $67 billion. Transitioning to bamboo cultivation could provide a profitable avenue for farmers looking to diversify and adapt to changing agricultural landscapes.

Research Worth Reading 🔬

Precision diagnosis of citrus leaf diseases using image enhancement and nonlinear fuzzy ranking ensemble approach NLFuRBe

The article highlights the importance of citrus fruits, particularly lemons, in the global economy and nutrition, emphasizing the threat posed by diseases that reduce yield quality and quantity. It points out the limitations of traditional disease detection methods, which rely on domain experts and are ineffective in early infection stages. This underscores the need for more efficient and accurate approaches to diagnose citrus leaf diseases.

Beet juice secretly helps older adults lower blood pressure in just two weeks

Beetroot juice high in nitrates can reduce blood pressure in older adults by positively altering their oral microbiome, as per University of Exeter researchers. This change boosts beneficial bacteria and reduces harmful ones, enhancing the conversion of dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, crucial for vascular health.

Unraveling HLB Tolerance Mechanisms in Citrus Hybrids

Researchers led by S. Ramekar, L.M. Mahmoud, and J.K. Deol address the challenges of Huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus crops in a study published in BMC Genomics. The research investigates biochemical and molecular mechanisms to understand HLB tolerance in citrus hybrids, offering valuable insights for combating this destructive disease.

Carbon derived from citrus peel waste: advances in synthesis methods and emerging trends for potential applications—a review

The review highlights the environmental challenges posed by agroindustrial waste, particularly citrus peel waste, emphasizing its impact on soil, water sources, and human health. It discusses advances in synthesizing carbon from citrus peels and explores potential applications. Addressing these waste challenges is crucial for sustainable practices and environmental protection.

Assessment of an ecofriendly process to remove Nickel and Zinc from wastewater using ultrasound-treated Citrus fruit peels

Ultrasound-treated Citrus fruit peels were evaluated as bio-sorbents for removing nickel and zinc from wastewater in a recent study. The research focused on assessing the effectiveness of this eco-friendly process.