Producers of carbonated drinks may be challenged by the emerging health and wellness trend of consumers as they may shift to low sugar juice as an apparent healthier alternative, according to a report by Euromonitor International.
Euromonitor International is the world’s leading independent provider of global strategic intelligence on industries, countries, and consumers.
The report also stated that juice manufacturers are set to derive further benefit from this trend over the forecast period and this development is supported by growing concerns over the health risks associated with high sugar consumption.
Nigeria has various kinds of fruits such as oranges, guava, pineapples, avocado, pears, and pawpaw among others which could easily be juiced.
Each year, millions of tonnes of these fruits are harvested in Nigeria but much of the harvest goes down the drain as wastages, due to poor market access and poor storage facilities, among others.
Most of the fruits in the country are farmed in the middle belt region, with traders buying and conveying them across the country, especially to areas with of high demand.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2016 moved against importers and retailers of fruit juices in what the agency called a “mop-up” exercise of foreign banned juices in the country.
“There is an import prohibition list that bans the importation of fruit juices in the retail pack into the country and Kaduna State is inclusive,” NAFDAC said.
Muyiwa Kayode, a Lagos state based brand expert said that there are better, organic and fresher ingredients from the farm in Nigeria than the ones in the U.S or Europe.
This year, there is likely going to be a gradual shift from the use of imported juice concentrates to local fruit juices. This move is being driven by growing government pressure on fruit juice manufacturers to support local fruit farmers.
In 2002, the Federal Government banned the importation of fruit juices into the country, which gave farmers hope for a prosperous time in the farming and marketing of fruits in the country.
“We import lots of fruits from Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and a few other West African countries when fruits are out of season in Nigeria,” said AfricaFarmer Mogaji, chief executive officer, X-ray Farms Consulting Limited.
BUNMI BAILEY
