TAMPA, FL – The Florida Department of Citrus has long been pushing the health benefits of a glass of orange juice.
As concerns about H1N1 flu have ramped up, it appears people are listening.
Analysts suggest that retail sales of orange juice have risen over the last six months, likely in part to an increased demand from a population doing anything they can to stave off swine flu.
That’s good news for Florida’s orange juice industry, which will likely produce less orange juice this year.
The Florida Department of Agriculture projects 16% less orange juice during the 2009-10 year compared to 2008-09.
Cold weather, drought and citrus disease are to blame for the lower production.
