Climate Change Drives Up Orange Juice Prices

Climate change is significantly impacting orange juice prices, with rising temperatures and severe weather events like the El Niño phenomenon contributing to a sharp decline in citrus production. This season, Brazil’s citrus belt has faced high temperatures, increased evapotranspiration rates, and a severe water shortage, exacerbating the drop in orange yields. The USDA reports similar issues in Florida, with a 5% production decline since April. Consequently, orange juice prices have surged, with a 26.82% increase since early 2024 and orange juice concentrate prices more than doubling. In response, companies are exploring alternatives such as mandarin juice and other fruit blends. However, transitioning to these alternatives presents logistical and regulatory challenges. For now, consumers may continue to face higher costs for orange juice.