Brian Peck

Weekends

Orange juice sales are SOARING during the pandemic

Americans have been stocking up on all sorts of things as the pandemic continues, but one item in particular has seen a surge in popularity—and it really needed it. U.S. retails sales of orange juice jumped about 38 percent in the four weeks ending on March 28th compared to the same period of time last year, according to Nielsen.

The Florida Department of Citrus reported a spike in demand for 100% orange juice in particular. This could be because orange juice is a typical go-to item when people get sick or are afraid they might. In 2018, a bad flu season drove up sales of the juice in the U.S.– likely because people think chugging orange juice is a good way to hydrate and load up on vitamin C—which hasn’t actually been proven to prevent colds.

Before the pandemic, orange juice sales were steadily declining, mostly because people have turned away from traditional fruit juices as they see them as a source of empty calories and sugar, and also because orange supplies in the U.S. have fallen due to a widespread citrus plant disease.

CNN

Tags: