The cost of orange juice is too damn high
One of American’s breakfast staples – orange juice – is disappearing off our breakfast tables. In fact, a Nielsen report this week shows orange juice sales have fallen to their lowest levels since 2002. So what’s behind the sagging orange juice sales? Here are some contributing factors to sip on:
Growing Competition
Sales for coffee, pomegranate juice, and sports and energy drinks are up.
Bacterial Disease
A bacterial disease that is sometimes called “citrus greening” or “yellow dragon disease” is being spread by an invasive bug from Asia. The USDA reports the orange-tree population has shrunk nearly a quarter since 2003. All this leads analysts to predict the upcoming orange season may be the smallest crop in 50 years.
Breakfast is less popular
Studies show we aren’t eating breakfast as much as we have in the past.
Plus, it’s expensive.
According to Nielsen, a gallon of “OJ” now goes for about $6.50.
So, in the near-term, it looks like several forces our driving our breakfast mainstay into a luxury buy.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
