In Finland, the price of orange juice has increased by nearly 30 percent at the beginning of the year, as reported by the S Group. The rise in prices is attributed to Brazil’s orange production reaching its lowest level in over 30 years due to weather issues and a yellowing disease affecting citrus fruits. This has caused availability problems and fears of rising prices for consumers, impacting the entire juice industry.
The International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU) has described the situation as a crisis, with fruit, berry, and vegetable juice prices in Finland also increasing by more than 20 percent compared to the end of 2022. Orange futures prices have skyrocketed due to ongoing availability issues caused by weather events and diseases affecting citrus fruits.
Leading grocery stores like the S Group have reported significant price increases in orange juices, leading to decreased demand for these products. Availability problems have affected retailers, with past challenges in maintaining juice supplies. Statistics Finland does not track orange juice prices specifically, but overall fruit, berry, and vegetable juice prices have risen by more than 20 percent in the country since the end of 2022.
Hurricanes in Florida and the yellowing disease of citrus trees have particularly impacted orange production, leading to a doubling of prices within a year and a half. The disease, known as HLB disease, hampers nutrient transport in trees, causing leaves to yellow and affecting fruit quality.
These challenges in the orange juice industry have prompted considerations among consumers and industry players as they navigate the impact of rising prices and changing market dynamics. The situation remains uncertain, with potential implications for future pricing and product availability.
