navigation
Whether it’s fruit juice, vegetable juice or a combination of the two, juice is a unique partnership between regional Australia and its metropolitan centres. The industry relies on quality Australian produce and expertise right across the supply chain.
Juice Australia, a dedicated division of the Australian Beverages Council [ABCL], proudly represents the processing, converting, and packaging companies that produce fruit juice, vegetable juice, juice drinks, fruit cordials and juice blends.
Juice Australia is committed to promoting clarity in labelling, fair trade and consumer awareness. The ABCL’s juice division started life as a fruit juice association and changed to incorporated vegetable juice and vegetable and fruit juice blends in 2018.
In collaboration with juice manufacturers and Citrus Australia, Juice Australia has formed an industry wide alliance to garner support and promote the fruit and vegetable juice industries in Australia.
As with all juices, the fruit or vegetable starts life in fields or orchards.
Local growers cultivate the produce and pick the fruit or vegetables, often by hand but also mechanically. Then, the fruit or vegetables go straight to a processing facility where they are inspected for quality.
Once the juice is squeezed, it is pasteurised to ensure it stays fresh for longer and to lock in natural nutrients for premium quality.
Juice from concentrate goes through a few more steps.
Depending on the technique, the juice is either heated by steam so the water in the juice evaporates, or ‘ultra-filtrated’, and then concentrated using reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis is a purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane/filter to remove large unwanted particles by applying pressure.
To bring the concentrate back to its previous form, enough water is added to reconstitute the concentrated juice back to that of the undiluted juice from which it was made. The measurement of this is what we call standard brix. Finally, the juice is pasteurised before packaging
DID YOU KNOW? Brix is the sugar content of a fluid and measured in degrees. One degree brix is 1g sugar in 100g of the fluid.
Fruit and vegetable drinks contain a lower juice content than fruit juices and the juice content is between 5% and <96% juice. Juice drinks are made from juice concentrate which has been reconstituted with water, as well as additional water, and also might include other ingredients such as sweeteners and flavourings. Lower juice content and additional ingredients distinguish juice drinks from juice with no added sugar.
Fruit and/or vegetable juices are the main ingredients in juices and juice drinks.
Water is used to reconstitute juice concentrate as well as an ingredient in juice drinks.
Antioxidants prolong the shelf-life of foods by protecting against deterioration caused by oxidation and they are sometimes used in both juices and juice drinks.
Acidity Regulators can be used to supplement or mimic the natural acidity and sour tastes of fruit flavours but more importantly, they are also used to alter the pH of foods.
Flavour ingredients are sometimes used to provide, modify or enhance the flavor of the juice or juice drink.
Sugar is sometimes added to provide additional sweetness as well as to balance the tartness of some juice ingredient.
Fruit and vegetable juices have a role to play in the Australian diet by contributing to the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables.
Learn More
Fruit and vegetable juices have a role to play in the Australian diet by contributing to the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines state that an occasional 125ml glass of fruit juice with no added sugar is equivalent to one serve of fruit. Without juice, many children and adolescents would not consume their recommended daily intake of fruit.
The Australian Health Survey (AHS), which incorporates the National Nutrition and Physical Activity, found that 81% of children and 93% of adults do not meet their daily fruit recommendations from fruit alone (excluding fruit juice and dried fruit).
A serving of juice with no added sugar, according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, is 125mL.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines state that an occasional 125ml glass of fruit juice with no added sugar is equivalent to one serve of fruit. Without juice, many Australians would not consume their recommended daily intake of fruit.
The Australian Beverages Council Ltd [ABCL] is the peak body representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry. Our Membership is comprised of small, medium-sized and large companies. Collectively these companies produce over 95% of the industry’s volume. You can read our Member Benefits Factsheet, or click on the ‘learn more’ button below to visit our Become a Member page.
Learn More
The juice industry currently contributes $800 million to the Australian economy, supporting approximately 5,000 full-time- equivalent jobs. While the industry has faced a number of challenges in recent years, the industry is a very important part of regional Australia.
For every 1 direct employee in the beverages manufacturing industry (including juice), there are 4.9 jobs required elsewhere in the economy to produce and retail beverages.
Learn More
The juice industry currently contributes $800 million to the Australian economy, supporting approximately 5,000 full-time- equivalent jobs. While the industry has faced a number of challenges in recent years, the industry is a very important part of regional Australia.
For every 1 direct employee in the beverages manufacturing industry (including juice), there are 4.9 jobs required elsewhere in the economy to produce and retail beverages.
Supermarkets are the most common place for buying packaged fruit juice with just over 5.2 million Australians purchasing it there in an average four-week period. Juice bars are also becoming increasingly popular places to source juice, according to Roy Morgan Single Source.
Looking at the ABCL more broadly, our Members collectively produce over 95% of the industry’s non-alcoholic beverages volume (all categories). Our Members make a substantial $7+ billion contribution to the Australian economy each year and nationally our Members employ over 46,000 people right across the supply chain.
According to Roy Morgan Single Source, men (27.6%) are slightly more likely than women (26.3%) to consume packaged fruit juice, with young people of both genders being the most avid consumers. Among men, consumption peaks among 18-24 year-olds (34.6%), while the 65+ bracket is least likely to drink it (25.5%).
Among women, 38.8% of girls aged 14-17 consume fruit juice/drinks in an average seven days, putting them well ahead of other age groups – particularly women aged 65 or older, 19.9% of whom partake.
Brian grew up on a citrus farm in the Hills District and managed his parent’s farm from a young age. His Central Coast story started when he purchased a Mangrove Mountain citrus farm in 1965. Back then, he sold oranges and lemons through an agent and to fresh juice manufacturers in Sydney, Gosford, and Parramatta.
Source: Eastcoast Beverages
Continue Reading
Brian grew up on a citrus farm in the Hills District and managed his parent’s farm from a young age. His Central Coast story started when he purchased a Mangrove Mountain citrus farm in 1965. Back then, he sold oranges and lemons through an agent and to fresh juice manufacturers in Sydney, Gosford, and Parramatta.
Many juicing factories closed after the influx of cheaper fruit concentrate and consumers started to favour unblemished fruit at the markets.
‘Our local oranges are absolutely delicious but they’re not always pretty! Once buyers started favouring appearance over taste, it became more difficult to sell our fruit at the markets’ said Brian.
Surplus citrus fruit became a problem on the Central Coast and that motivated Eastcoast Juices to set up their own fresh fruit juice manufacturing.
‘Their initiative really helped all the local growers,’ said Brian. ‘To this day, once our fruit is harvested, Eastcoast Juices packs our blemish-free oranges and lemons for the Sydney Markets and squeezes the tasty surplus for fresh juice.’
‘For 25 years, I’ve supplied the best oranges and lemons that I could,’ added Brian.
Ross Hitchcock’s farming story goes back to the 1800s, when his family had farmland, including citrus trees, in the Hills and Hawkesbury districts. Ross’s grandfather moved to Kulnura on the Central Coast and purchased the current farm in 1936. The property had some rich history including an old water-powered sawmill on site.
Source: Eastcoast Beverages
Continue Reading
Ross Hitchcock’s farming story goes back to the 1800s, when his family had farmland, including citrus trees, in the Hills and Hawkesbury districts. Ross’s grandfather moved to Kulnura on the Central Coast and purchased the current farm in 1936. The property had some rich history including an old water-powered sawmill on site.
The farm started out with passionfruit, followed by tomatoes, stone fruit, oranges and lemons. The fresh fruit juice market was in its infancy, so fruit was mainly sold for whole consumption rather than juicing.
Sustainable farming wasn’t often discussed back then, but Ross’ grandfather had a deep connection with the land. He was way ahead of his time. Winters were traditionally spent relocating soil that had been eroded away by intensive farming techniques. By setting up erosion sediment traps and removing deep drains, Ross’ grandfather prevented much of the erosion.
Ross and his father continued the legacy of sustainable farming and environmental protection. Today, the grassy sediment traps are a wildlife haven. Ross works closely with the University of Western Sydney assisting entomology research.
Ross describes himself as a ‘community agitator’, promoting good causes and pursuing major environmental issues through the relevant authorities. He holds an interesting collection of local historical documents and photos, which he has shared with the community. Ross also enjoys repairing his farm equipment in his workshop.
Reg Bennett’s farm is a story about family and community. His father bought 80 acres of prime Mangrove Mountain land in 1936 to grow oranges and lemons. He cleared 14 acres by hand with a combination of gelignite and hard work.
Source: Eastcoast Beverages
Continue Reading
Reg Bennett’s farm is a story about family and community. His father bought 80 acres of prime Mangrove Mountain land in 1936 to grow oranges and lemons. He cleared 14 acres by hand with a combination of gelignite and hard work.
After the war, bulldozers finished the job. Today, Reg and his brother are successful second generation farmers with 40 acres each.
Reg has seen the changing citrus landscape over the years. ‘There used to be a few thousand acres of citrus on the Central Coast’ Reg said. ‘When concentrate came in from overseas, it put most local farmers out of business. We diversified into summer fruits, passionfruit and tomatoes.
Once upon a time, growing passionfruit and tomatoes was like an apprenticeship for farmers; it’s where you started out before you made the grade as a citrus grower. We returned to our roots and that kept us going until the demand for fresh juice returned.’
Thirteen years ago, the Hoddle family decided to take advantage of their perfect climate and land to grow citrus fruits. They now have 23,000 trees across 40 hectares, supplying the industry with the sweetest, juiciest Salustiana oranges throughout winter and spring.
Source: Eastcoast Beverages
Continue Reading
Thirteen years ago, the Hoddle family decided to take advantage of their perfect climate and land to grow citrus fruits. They now have 23,000 trees across 40 hectares, supplying the industry with the sweetest, juiciest Salustiana oranges throughout winter and spring.
With three generations of farming history behind him, Robert Hoddle knows a thing or two about sustainability. Robert takes care of the environment by using the latest drip irrigation technology, integrated pest management and recycled citrus peel.
‘Citrus uses water very economically, giving a higher return per megalitre of water. Just by growing citrus, we’re using Australia’s scarce resources well. In addition, our precious underground water is drip fed straight to the tree roots so there is no wastage or ground evaporation. We also use the drip system for fertilising, choosing environmentally friendly carbon fertilisers to enhance the soil,’ said Robert.
‘For pest control, we’ve put a lot of thought and effort into our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program,’ says Robert. ‘Predator wasps control the insects, minimising the need to use pest control sprays. This is obviously healthier for everyone.’
With 6,000 citrus trees to care for on Wyuna Farm, it’s just as well that Rodger Wilson loves the great outdoors. Rodger and his wife Lorraine have farmed here since 1965, and the family history goes back even further.
Source: Eastcoast Beverages
Continue Reading
With 6,000 citrus trees to care for on Wyuna Farm, it’s just as well that Rodger Wilson loves the great outdoors. Rodger and his wife Lorraine have farmed here since 1965, and the family history goes back even further.
Lorraine’s father Ray Walpole bought 20 acres of Kulnura bush back in 1933. Once the land was cleared, he grew carrots, beans and tomatoes while his newly planted citrus trees were maturing.
Lorraine married Rodger and after a spell in New Zealand, they returned to the family farm to help Ray. That was 1965 and they have never looked back! Today, along with son Greg, they grow oranges for the industry and have four meat chicken sheds.
The ABCL and Juice Australia have supported the implementation of Container Deposit Schemes [CDS] across Australia. Currently, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have a CDS. Victoria and Tasmania are in the process of adopting CDS.
The ABCL and Juice Australia have supported the implementation of Container Deposit Schemes [CDS] across Australia. Currently, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have a CDS. Victoria and Tasmania are in the process of adopting CDS.
Container Deposit Schemes are being established to help increase recycling and reduce the number of beverage containers that litter our environment.
The Australian Beverages Council supports efficient, industry-driven initiatives and schemes. It is the belief of our organisation that only the beverages industry can deliver low-cost schemes which have the least impact on manufacturers of all sizes while ensuring consumers are provided with convenient and easy-to-use Container Deposit Schemes.
For further information about CDS, head to the dedicated CDS section on the ABCL website.
Juice Australia and the ABCL have formed a Sustainability Working Group to the increasing need for the organisation to formulate and communicate a Sustainability strategy on behalf of the non-alcoholic beverages industry. Learn More
Juice Australia and the ABCL have formed a Sustainability Working Group to the increasing need for the organisation to formulate and communicate a Sustainability strategy on behalf of the non-alcoholic beverages industry.
In its discussions to date, the Group has identified recycled content, container deposit schemes and innovative packaging as three of its key priorities.
The story of juice & how it's made
(Download file)Nutrition in fruit and vegetable juices
(Download file)Juice and the Australian Dietary Guidelines
(Download file)Methodology for the Reconstitution of Juice Concentrate
(Download file)Technical Guidance for Juice Processing
(Download file)Patulin Fact Sheet
(Download file)