Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate Futures: We are Unstoppable!

Futures prices for the former breakfast staple have been climbing higher and higher in recent months, reaching an all-time high of $3.69 per pound this week. That number is up 13% so far this month and nearly 78% so far this year. In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it expected Florida's orange production this year to be only about 15.9 million boxes, representing a 70% drop from the 2020-21 season.

Other exporters such as Brazil and Mexico have also lowered their production forecasts for this year, citing warmer weather that makes harvesting difficult. One single greatest reason of looming citrus harvest shortfalls is a rapidly spreading disease. Citrus greening is spread by a disease-infected insect, the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama or ACP), and has jeopardized the future of global citrus crops. Infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice.