This is because the price has risen due to a series of poor crops in Brazil, the main importer of orange juice, and the weak yen has led to another surge in import prices, making it difficult for manufacturers to afford it.
According to the Asahi Shimbun on Wednesday, Morinaga Dairy of Japan has decided to temporarily suspend sales of its “Sunkist 100% Orange (200 ml)” product when it runs out of available raw materials. The scheduled suspension will be in mid-June. Asahi Beverage Co. also temporarily suspended shipments of its “Vayaris Orange (1.5 liters)” product in December last year, while Yukisushi Meg Milk suspended sales of 1,000ml and 450ml of “Dole 100% Orange” products last spring. A series of beverage makers have halted shipments to orange juice due to rising raw material prices. The price per liter of imported orange juice was 259 yen in 2020 but jumped to 491 yen last year. On top of that, the weakening yen is fueling the surge in price.
The industry is preparing countermeasures by introducing Japanese tangerine juice as an alternative product instead of oranges. Cooperative Dairy revived 100% bitter tangerine juice produced in Wakayama Prefecture in April this year for the first time in 14 years. Currently, the company only sells it in some regions, but plans to expand its sales outlets after next year.
The replacement of tangerine juice instead of orange juice has lowered the dependence on imports and helped the development of domestic agriculture. Import issues have rather helped the domestic tangerine industry. Replacing domestic products will help the domestic agricultural economy.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
