Currently, the beverage industry is suffering from a crisis in orange juice supply. Orange Juice NFC (Not From Concentrate) or FCOJ (Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice) is a key ingredient in an array of formulations.
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Agrumaria Reggina discusses the factors behind the crisis and how to move forward.
Factors Contributing to OJ Crisis
Several factors contribute to this crisis, primarily originating from the Americas:
- Citrus greening, a severe disease affecting orange groves, has led to a noticeable reduction in orange juice volumes.
- Certain countries historically significant in producing Natural Orange Juice have seen a decline in output, causing a shift in South American producers towards Natural Orange Juice at the expense of FCOJ.
These factors result in reduced availability and increased prices, posing a substantial challenge to the industry.
4 Strategies for Addressing the Crisis
1. Geographical Diversification: Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear that over-reliance on specific regions for essential goods like FCOJ is risky. Europe, and notably Italy, offers a vital alternative supply source.
2. Product Analysis and Adaptation: It's essential to assess where orange juice is used in your product range. While 100% orange juices face a tougher challenge due to consumer expectations, in drinks and nectars, replacing a portion of orange juice with other fruit juices or contents is a viable option.
3. Innovative Formulations: Shifting from 'orange juice' to 'orange juice and fruit' can be a strategic move. Utilizing fruit extracts and pulps not only addresses volume challenges but also reduces costs, offering a more favorable cost per liter.
4. Utilization of Restoration Aromas: These aromas, extracted from the FCOJ production process, help maintain a high aromatic profile with less juice content. Being derived directly from the fruit, they don't require labeling, thus keeping ingredient lists short and clean.
