2020 – Page 8 – Fruit Juice Focus

28 Apr

Elderberries – great for building immunity

Elderberries, small, dark purple berries grown on the Sambucus tree, are well known for their cold and flu-fighting properties. Used medicinally for centuries to reduce cold symptoms and other ailments, researchers believe elderberry may be one of the best natural antiviral substances and could be used to effectively treat the common cold and influenza A and B.

Broad-based antiviral therapies like elderberry supplementation block key viral proteins from entering host cells. Additionally, elderberry extract is also antimicrobial and works to fight bacterial infections, like pneumonia, that often develop as complications of the flu.

Elderberry is used for viral infection protection.

The common cold and flu account for more than 20 million doctor visits a year, causing numerous missed school and workdays. While conventional remedies address temporary symptom relief, researchers believe that elderberry extract could be used to effectively shorten the duration of colds and cases of flu.

Elderberry boasts immune-activating benefits. Elderberry juice encourages the production of cytokines, a protein that works to regulate immunity and inflammation. In one study, elderberry’s potent immune-boosting properties were shown to be effective against 10 unique strains of the influenza virus.

Elderberry extract is a powerful antimicrobial. Elderberry juice is high in anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that has both antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Many patients with severe influenza A or B are susceptible to bacterial infections like pneumonia, with pneumonia rates as high as 65.7% among hospitalized influenza patients.

Due to its potent antimicrobial properties, elderberry supplementation is a powerful natural compound in the prevention of both influenza and subsequent bacterial infections.

Elderberry syrup has potent antioxidant ability. Elderberries are high in phenolic compounds, a type of micronutrient found in berries and cacao. These compounds are responsible for the deep red or purple color of elderberries and are bioactive, which means they enhance the antioxidant status of healthy individuals.

Additionally, anthocyanins found in elderberries have been proven to inhibit inflammatory biomarkers and promote health and disease prevention against multiple viral and bacterial infections.

Elderberry treats upper respiratory symptoms.

Many researchers believe that there is a strong potential for misuse of antibiotics during cold and flu season, especially in Western countries. Elderberry is an alternative natural compound proven to effectively reduce cold and flu symptoms such as upper respiratory symptoms and maybe a safer alternative to prescription medications often used to treat these symptoms.

Other benefits of elderberry extract include its high vitamins A, C and E content, high levels of potassium and its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. For these reasons and its potent antiviral capacity, elderberry extract can be a useful natural compound to supplement with during cold and flu season.

Safety profile of elderberry products

While most elderberry products are safe to consume, researchers have found that consuming raw elderberries or the leaves or bark of the Sambucus plant can cause adverse gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid ingesting any raw elderberries.

Due to a lack of sufficient trials, most health care personnel don’t recommend the use of elderberry during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Additionally, although a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of elderberry extract and it has been used effectively to treat influenza in children, there isn’t much research on elderberry’s safety profile for children.

For additional research on the antiviral benefits of elderberry supplementation, visit the https://www.GreenMedInfo.com elderberry research database. MyValleyNews

By Caroline Calder News
07 Apr

World citrus community continues efforts to supply safe, high quality, nutritious citrus fruit to consumers around the world amid COVID-19 outbreak

Amid the global outbreak of COVID-19, the world citrus community has stepped up its efforts to ensure the continuous supply of safe, healthy, and high-quality citrus fruit for consumers around the world. The global citrus sector has focused on ensuring the protection of workers across the chain, keeping global citrus production and supply going, and making sure that consumers have access to citrus fruit, essential for a nutritious and tasty diet. This is particularly important given the high nutritional value of citrus fruit, especially their high Vitamin C content. Among its many functions, Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.

You can find WCO’s statement here: WCO Statement on coronavirus and global citrus market – 06042020

By Caroline Calder News
13 Mar

FCOJ – Enough juice for everyone to drink, but the prices will be a little higher. July update from Jack Scoville

FCOJ held strong in the last few weeks as demand held strong despite the higher prices. The domestic demand has really improved due to the Coronavirus and COVID-19. People are remembering that orange juice in whatever form has important vitamins and minerals to support them if the effort to stay safe. The demand from households has come while the food service demand has dropped but the household demand increase has been larger than the food service decrease.

Domestic production is down a little bit this year at 67 million boxes. The reduced production helps keep the supply manageable against the demand. In fact, the FCOJ Movement and Pack report issued by the Florida Mutual Association notes that stocks levels are starting to become more stable against the previous year. That implies that prices can at least hold at current levels.

US imports of FCOJ remain relatively low this year. US prices are low in the world market, so Brazil producers and even the Mexican producers would rather sell to Europe, where the prices are a lot higher. The US can also export to Europe as long as the politics are good. The Trump administration has made life more difficult for the exporters, though, as it has railed against all things European in an effort to promote the America First policies and in general animus to our friends. The EU will primarily source its FCOJ from Brazil.

The market has improved in the last half a year and should continue to gain a little bit. Interest in FCOJ futures is returning to the marketplace, which is good for everyone. The fundamentals of supply and demand favour somewhat higher prices as well. There is still going to be juice for everyone to drink, but the prices will be a little higher.

A little background

FCOJ futures started in New York in the 1960’s but the contract terms were developed in the late 40’s by Florida academic and government officials.

The contract calls for delivery in Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, and California. Juicer from other origins can be delivered to the exchange as long as the juice is stored in the designated warehouses. These origins include Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico as well as some other countries.

FCOJ was the most important component of the industry when the contract started, but now the fresh juice market is bigger. Even so, the price relationships work out well enough that the FCOJ contract is the benchmark price for all orange juice. It has become a very important factor in the life of the Florida producer as about 90% of Florida oranges are juiced.

By Caroline Calder Features News
13 Mar

Tough times for Aussie growers

Problems down under continue to put pressure on juice industry while leading businesses are urged to innovate to keep pace with changing consumer tastes. One report says that poor prices could mean an end of fresh Australian orange juice in five years, writes FJF.

It’s not just adverse weather that’s affecting Australia – frosts, bushfires, water, the citrus industry is suffering from an onslaught of issues that are making life tough. The domestic citrus crop will be way down in volumes, farming is proving a tough livelihood for growers with rising costs, and to top it consumer demands are changing dramatically which makes juice staples less attractive to younger consumers as they look at alternatives.

Weather issues

Citrus Australia, the industry body representing the nation’s commercial citrus growers, says major retailers must lift prices to juice growers, who are facing a decline in production due to seasonal conditions. CEO Nathan Hancock says prices paid for fresh juice by supermarkets to juice companies does not reflect the seasonal environmental impacts of frost and drought on the 2019/20 Valencia crop.

“This limits the amount of money that juice processors can pay growers, which will exacerbate the long-term decline in juice variety production,” Mr Hancock said.

“The juice growing industry is under immense pressure and Australian consumers may not have access to fresh Australian orange juice in as little as five years.

“The high cost of water and low returns for juicing oranges mean less incentive to irrigate and maintain the crop.” Mr Hancock said growing juice fruit is unprofitable based on current rates, which barely cover the cost to grow the fruit.

Operating environment

Operators in the Fruit Juice Drink Manufacturing industry have faced a difficult trading environment over the past five years, according to analysts IbisWorld.

Strong competition, both internally from private labels and externally from other beverages, has negatively affected industry revenue. In addition, slow growth in household disposable income has caused consumer preferences to shift to cheaper alternatives over the period.

As a result, industry revenue is expected to fall at an annualised 0.4% over the five years through 2018-19, to be worth AUD822.8 million. However, revenue is anticipated to increase by 0.8% in the current year, due to rising health consciousness.

If the domestic market fails it is likely we will see more imported frozen products, or non-refrigerated juice products, rather than fresh imports it has been suggested.

Look to innovation

The Australian Beverages Council is positive about the industry and sees premium products as key to success going forward. Since 2008, chilled juice has been increasing in market value at the expense of ambient juice, growing in value by more than AUD140 million. While the overall value of the juice market has been declining since 2011, forecasts indicate value losses will slow and value should peak this year due to consumers opting for more premium chilled products. Looking further ahead, the expectation is that growth will remain modest across the category with the greatest promise of better margins and sales in premium lines. Clearly this will be contingent upon the local supply of fruit regaining some certainty over the forward horizon, comments the Council.

“It could be noted that Australians on average only consume about half recommended fruit in their diet, so perhaps innovation really is key”

Some of the premium lines introduced by Members of Juice Australia include combinations of fruit and vegetable juices, greater density juices which have been pressed or crushed, and unique juice blends, many of which include coconut water. Some producers have also branched out into other categories, such as non-dairy yoghurt and sparkling juices or flavoured waters.

Just recently, market research on Australian fruit juice suggested millennials and families with young children are key targets for premium juice products. The report found millennials perceive juice consumption as an indulgence, while families with young children generally value high quality ingredients as a key factor in the decision-making process.

It could be noted that Australians on average only consume about half recommended fruit in their diet, so perhaps innovation really is key here as the country is far down the list when it comes to consumption of juice. Their favourite fruit is apparently apple, followed by banana, favourite juice consumed orange, followed by juice blends such as tropical mixes.

Positive vibes despite coronavirus concerns

The Citrus Australia Market Outlook Forum wrapped up in Melbourne recently with the industry looking forward to the season ahead. Citrus Australia Chair Ben Cant says “There is a huge amount of opportunities in export, and there are a lot of trees that are going in,” he said. “There is a lot of confidence in the industry that our record trade figures are going to continue going forward. Another key message is getting to know your consumer/customer and understand the supply chain, through technology, blockchain and genetic testing. There is also a lot of technology and it’s amazing the profound impact technology is having on the industry.”

Another issue on the radar was the Coronavirus, with China a key trading partner with Australia, but Mr Cant says it is a situation the industry will monitor as the season gets closer. “It can certainly go either way,” he said. “That may be due to the reduced economic activity, and consumer behaviour focusing on essential items, and purchasing items like citrus will be reduced. But, that said, the markets are empty of fruit and 1.3 billion Chinese people, a significant portion, who are going to be looking for a Vitamin C hit, to increase immune levels. So, we are confident that there might be a spike in sales this year. Anecdotally, we saw that with trade data, post-SARS in citrus sales. So, we are hoping the Chinese will be back on board and better than ever.”

Australian Beverages Council, IbisWorld, Citrus Australia.

By Caroline Calder Features