Coca-Cola Abandons Frozen Juice Concentrates in U.S., Citing Shifts in Consumer Preferences
For generations, Americans have relied on frozen juice concentrates from Minute Maid to make orange juice without the hassle of squeezing fresh fruit. However, in a bid to adapt to changing consumer preferences, The Coca-Cola Co., which owns Minute Maid, has announced that it will discontinue sales of frozen juice concentrates in the U.S. and Canada.
According to the company, it is halting production of its frozen products and exiting the frozen can category in response to shifting consumer tastes. The decision is aimed at focusing on fresh juices that customers now prefer. By April, Minute Maid's frozen juices - including orange juice, lemonade, and limeade varieties - will be phased out, with remaining inventory available while supplies last.
The move comes as other options, such as energy drinks and protein smoothies, have flooded the market, further increasing competition for traditional juice brands like Minute Maid. The company has also faced criticism over added sugar in its juices, prompting it to launch Zero Sugar versions of its fresh juices in 2020. However, its frozen juices have struggled to keep pace with these changes.
According to recent data from NielsenIQ, U.S. sales of frozen beverages have fallen nearly 8% in the past year. With skyrocketing prices due to poor weather conditions in Brazil and Florida also weighing on sales, Minute Maid's decision to discontinue its frozen products is a sign of the times.
In 1946, Vacuum Foods Corp., which later became Minute Maid, revolutionized the juice market by shipping frozen orange juice across the U.S. The company's introduction of ready-to-drink orange juice in the 1970s further changed the landscape. However, as consumer preferences continue to evolve, it appears that frozen juice concentrates are no longer a staple in American households.
The discontinuation of Minute Maid's frozen juices is set to have significant implications for consumers who rely on these products to make their daily beverages. While some may welcome the shift towards fresh juices, others will be disappointed by the loss of this convenient option. As The Coca-Cola Co. looks to adapt to changing consumer preferences, it remains to be seen how its other brands will fare in the market.
For generations, Americans have relied on frozen juice concentrates from Minute Maid to make orange juice without the hassle of squeezing fresh fruit. However, in a bid to adapt to changing consumer preferences, The Coca-Cola Co., which owns Minute Maid, has announced that it will discontinue sales of frozen juice concentrates in the U.S. and Canada.
According to the company, it is halting production of its frozen products and exiting the frozen can category in response to shifting consumer tastes. The decision is aimed at focusing on fresh juices that customers now prefer. By April, Minute Maid's frozen juices - including orange juice, lemonade, and limeade varieties - will be phased out, with remaining inventory available while supplies last.
The move comes as other options, such as energy drinks and protein smoothies, have flooded the market, further increasing competition for traditional juice brands like Minute Maid. The company has also faced criticism over added sugar in its juices, prompting it to launch Zero Sugar versions of its fresh juices in 2020. However, its frozen juices have struggled to keep pace with these changes.
According to recent data from NielsenIQ, U.S. sales of frozen beverages have fallen nearly 8% in the past year. With skyrocketing prices due to poor weather conditions in Brazil and Florida also weighing on sales, Minute Maid's decision to discontinue its frozen products is a sign of the times.
In 1946, Vacuum Foods Corp., which later became Minute Maid, revolutionized the juice market by shipping frozen orange juice across the U.S. The company's introduction of ready-to-drink orange juice in the 1970s further changed the landscape. However, as consumer preferences continue to evolve, it appears that frozen juice concentrates are no longer a staple in American households.
The discontinuation of Minute Maid's frozen juices is set to have significant implications for consumers who rely on these products to make their daily beverages. While some may welcome the shift towards fresh juices, others will be disappointed by the loss of this convenient option. As The Coca-Cola Co. looks to adapt to changing consumer preferences, it remains to be seen how its other brands will fare in the market.
. I mean, who needs that much hassle when you can just get fresh juice from a store or even squeeze some oranges yourself? It's about time someone took a stand on this one. Consumers are clearly shifting their preferences towards healthier and more convenient options, and it's not like Minute Maid was exactly offering anything innovative with their frozen stuff.
. Will they just revamp their existing fresh juices or try something entirely new? Either way, I hope they stick to making good products that people actually want to buy 
.
It's like how my fave snack, chips, used to be all that but now they're being passed around by healthier alternatives like kale chips lol.
. Maybe this is the time for The Coca-Cola Co. to innovate and come up with some new products that are gonna blow our minds 
! I mean, who needs the hassle of squeezing fresh fruit when you can just buy a bag of frozen concentrate and make orange juice without lifting a finger? 
But seriously, it's like, times are changing and people are getting all fancy with their smoothies and whatnot. It's not like Minute Maid's frozen juices were gonna die out on their own or anything 
. But for real tho, I'm kinda sad to see them go... but hey, maybe the company can just make a whole new line of products that'll be even better than before? Fingers crossed! 
. I mean, 8% decline in sales is no joke, but at the same time, I feel for the folks who relied on those frozen juices to make their daily drinks. It's like, what's next? Will we lose all our beloved childhood snacks? 
But hey, The Coca-Cola Co. seems to be on top of it and trying to pivot towards fresh juices, so maybe this is a good thing in disguise? 
, been seeing more energy drinks and protein smoothies popping up everywhere, so maybe it's just the market shifting to healthier options 
. I mean, who didn't love just mixing a packet with some water and voilà, instant orange juice? 
But I guess times have changed, and people are opting for healthier, fresher options. I'm not gonna lie, I'll miss having that convenient option in my fridge. But hey, progress is all about adapting to what consumers want 
. Maybe this is the chance for Minute Maid to revamp their fresh juice game and come out even stronger 
?
It's like, what's wrong with good ol' fashioned convenience? I mean, I know it might have added sugar and all that jazz, but come on! Can't they just make something simple and affordable without messing up the classic formula? 
it's not like they're that bad for you, right? some ppl need their daily dose of sugar to get them going in the morning lol anyway, i guess its just another sign that we're moving towards more health conscious options... or maybe ppl just got tired of squeezing oranges every morning 
Time will tell how this plays out for Coke's other brands tho 
i mean, who doesn't love just pouring a cup and having your fave juice ready in like 30 seconds? but at the same time, it makes sense that people are moving towards fresh juices - all those added sugars were no good for our health anyway 
and it was always such a treat. but i guess times have changed and people want something new. i'm not sure what's gonna happen now... is anyone else gonna fill the void of our lost favorite frozen juices? 
. Now I have to go out and buy fresh oranges which is a bit of a hassle 
. What do you guys think about this? Should they be making frozen juices more convenient or something? 
I remember my grandma used to make orange juice with them and now they're just disappearing? It's sad that we're losing this old-school convenience option, but at the same time, it's good for The Coca-Cola Co. to adapt to changing tastes 
. Fingers crossed they'll come out with some new innovative products that'll satisfy our cravings