Evolution Fresh, a leader in the U.S. cold-pressed orange juice (OJ) market, announced it has secured its OJ supply chain for the next 18 months from California and Northern Mexico. The supply commitments ensure an uninterrupted supply of cold-pressed OJ for grocery retailers, quick-serve restaurants and institutional foodservice customers.
“We have committed to pull over 60 million Valencia oranges from California and Northern Mexico citrus growers over the next year,” said Peter Barone, director of fruit and vegetable procurement for Evolution Fresh. “Our strategic roadmap captures California-grown fresh summer Valencias over the next four months, seamlessly transitioning to our trusted growers south of the border as seasons shift. This geographic agility allows us to press an uninterrupted supply of fresh orange juice utilizing fruit right from our backyard, while insulating our partners from the supply shocks plaguing traditional juice regions.”
The company noted that the broader OJ supply market has faced unprecedented headwinds. “Just recently, Alico, one of the largest U.S. citrus producers, which historically accounted for approximately 20–25% of the Florida orange juice market, executed a total exit from its citrus operations,” Evolution Fresh reported. Learn more about Alico’s announcement last year to cease citrus operations.
“Compounded by citrus greening disease and declining yields, the U.S. orange market has experienced a permanent structural shift away from Florida, forcing beverage brands to scramble for alternative orange suppliers,” Evolution Fresh continued. “Alico’s departure represents a major disruption to the orange juice marketplace and is expected to place additional pressure on orange supplies from California and Mexico.”
“By anchoring its supply chain in the climate-resilient microclimates of California and Northern Mexico, the company offers a secure, scalable solution while avoiding any inventory gaps,” Evolution Fresh added.
The company harvests and fresh presses 21 different kinds of fruits and vegetables at its recently built juicery in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Source: Business Wire
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