Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

The cost of orange juice is too damn high

…And other reasons orange juice sales are at their lowest since 2002.

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. 

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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. 

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Breakfast is less popular

Studies show we aren’t eating breakfast as much as we have in the past. 

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Plus, it’s expensive.

According to Nielsen, a gallon of “OJ” now  goes for about $6.50.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

 

So, in the near-term, it looks like several forces our driving our breakfast mainstay into a luxury buy.

 

 

 

 

 

Related Topics

Tagged as: