Innovative Orange-Flavored Juice Launched, Bypassing Fruit Shortage
In a remarkable display of culinary innovation, Japanese food and beverage giant Kagome Co. has introduced a novel orange-flavored juice that achieves its distinctive taste without a single orange. This groundbreaking development comes as a direct response to escalating import costs, exacerbated by a global decline in orange crop yields.
The company has dedicated approximately two years to perfecting a unique technological process that replicates the beloved orange flavor. This sophisticated method involves a precise blend of ingredients, notably featuring yellow carrots cultivated in New Zealand and apples. Kagome has revealed that these carefully selected components, in combination with their proprietary technology, are the key to this orange-less beverage.
Navigating the Orange Crisis
The impetus for this inventive solution is rooted in the significant challenges facing the Japanese market. Orange prices have seen a dramatic surge in recent years. Japan’s considerable reliance on imported oranges has made it particularly vulnerable to global supply fluctuations. Poor harvests in major orange-producing nations, such as Brazil, have coincided with a depreciating yen, creating a perfect storm that has led to the suspension of sales for conventional orange juice products.
Official trade data paints a stark picture of this economic reality. The import price of orange juice has skyrocketed, reaching approximately 980 yen (around $6.10) per liter in 2025. This represents a staggering nearly fourfold increase compared to the prices observed in 2020, underscoring the severity of the supply and cost challenges.
Introducing “Beyond”: A New Frontier in Juice
The result of Kagome’s extensive research and development is a new product named “Beyond.” This innovative juice made its debut earlier this month in supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide. Positioned as a 100 percent vegetable and fruit juice, it aims to offer consumers a familiar taste experience while circumventing the issues plaguing traditional orange juice.
Beyond is conveniently packaged in a 195-milliliter box and is priced at approximately 140 yen, making it an accessible option for consumers.
The Secret Behind the Flavor
The unique flavor profile of Beyond is achieved through a thoughtful selection of ingredients:
- Yellow Carrots: Sourced from New Zealand, these carrots are chosen for their inherent natural sweetness, forming a foundational element of the juice’s taste.
- Apples: Added to further enhance and complement the sweetness, apples play a crucial role in achieving the desired flavor balance.
- Pineapples and Lemons: These fruits are also incorporated into the blend, contributing additional layers of flavor complexity and a refreshing tang.
Kagome has emphasized its strategic approach to ingredient selection, noting on its product website that the chosen vegetables and fruits possess relatively stable supply chains. This deliberate choice ensures greater predictability and resilience in production, a critical factor in the current volatile market environment. This forward-thinking strategy not only addresses immediate market pressures but also positions Kagome as a leader in sustainable and adaptable food production.
