Orange juice, once a cherished breakfast staple, has been steadily vanishing from breakfast tables over the years. With Florida farmers now reporting that the crop damage from Hurricane Irma is the worst they have encountered in over two decades, the future of this beverage appears quite grim. An 8-ounce serving of orange juice contains 22 grams of sugar, just three grams short of the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit. The high sugar content of orange juice, combined with the recent devastation to Florida’s orange groves, may solidify its status as a specialty item.
Despite this, orange juice remains America’s favorite “fruit” drink, with the average consumer in the U.S. consuming 23.74 pounds of it annually, compared to just 10.66 pounds of fresh apples. It continues to hold the title of the nation’s preferred juice, according to a recent survey by Comax Flavors. However, The Washington Post highlights that thousands of acres of Florida orange groves have already been sold to developers or repurposed for other crops. After evaluating the full impact of Hurricane Irma’s destruction, many anticipate that more farmers will abandon citrus cultivation.
Manufacturers have been attempting to revitalize the juice market for years, promoting exotic fruit blends, cold-pressed juicing, and added functional benefits as ways to entice consumers. However, no amount of innovation can resolve the existing supply issues. Last year, Florida’s orange crop decreased by 14%, marking the lowest yield since the 1963-64 season. Additionally, the ongoing threat of citrus greening disease, spread by insects and decimating many of the state’s orange trees, has been a persistent challenge. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing over $13 million in research grants in hopes of addressing this problem.
Interestingly, as consumers become more health-conscious, products that offer health benefits like calcium citrate malate equivalent to calcium may attract attention. It remains to be seen whether the supply can recover swiftly enough for the market to endure these challenges, especially as the demand for nutritious alternatives continues to grow. The role of calcium citrate malate equivalent to calcium in promoting health could further influence consumer preferences in the future.