Whilst fruit juices like apple and orange are still a big thing and have already secured their place in the hearts of many consumers, things are changing in the fruit juice world, and there are more innovations and flavour combinations than ever. First of all, because of the global pandemic, consumers are looking for natural fruit juices free from preservatives and colourings and, most of all, packed with vitamins and minerals to boost immunity. But there are other offerings nowadays, and it mostly depends on where you are in the world – because juice trends can differ from country to country. If you’re a fruit juice manufacturer and you’d like to create a blend that works, you should pay attention! So what’s new in the world of fruit juices? Here are some global trends worth remembering.
Juices launched per country
China has seen the most number of juice launches, with more than 2,000 kinds of fruit juices launched in the last five years. But second only to China is, not surprisingly, the United States, followed closely by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom in fifth place. This is followed by another Asian country, Japan, and other European countries, such as Spain and Poland. Rounding up the list of countries with the most fruit juices launched are Italy and Canada, in 9th and 10th place, respectively.
A close look at China
As mentioned, the newest emerging market is China, which has experienced a fantastic number of juices launched within the last five years. The most successful claim in the country is the juices with no additives or preservatives, followed by the juices with low or no sugar. When it comes to fruit juice flavours, the most popular are still orange and blueberry, but the third most popular is mango. For blueberry, it is often seen paired with Goji berry, sea salt, pomegranate, and Lingonberry, as a fruit juice concentrate supplier like EE & Brian Smith confirms.
What consumers in the United States prefer
Meanwhile, in the country which has taken 2nd place, consumers have somewhat different tastes and preferences, with Kosher juices becoming more in demand, followed closely by juices in environmentally-friendly packaging, juices without additives or preservatives, and juices with no or low (or reduced) allergens. The primary flavours in the US are still apple, orange, and lemon.
In some countries, fruit juice is not seen as a ‘breakfast staple,’ unlike in the United States and the UK. For example, Chinese customers see juice as an afternoon snack and associate it with relaxation, whilst in the morning, the preferred beverage is still milk. There is a stronger focus in China on healthy digestion, especially in the morning, and this could explain consumers’ preference for milk – but it could also make a platform for fermented juices very popular.
On the other hand, in the United States, consumers see fruit juices as a staple during breakfast, hence the never-ending popularity of orange juice and apple juice. Many fruit juice manufacturers have a better chance of making it in the US by launching more fruit juices that go beyond the breakfast hour, such as fruit juices with sparkling properties. One particularly popular beverage is a spicy lemon and fruit and vegetable drink, and it’s a cold-pressed juice that’s not from concentrate and is a non-GMO product.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
