THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

Explainer

Why is orange juice so expensive?

Orange juice is expensive because citrus supply has been squeezed by disease, weather and long-running production declines.

  • 1 min read
  • Updated May 2026
  • BLS-based
Quick answer

Orange juice is at or near its record in the BLS series.

Frozen concentrate averages $4.97 per 16 ounces in May 2026, +12.2% year over year.

$4.97 per 16 ounces

Where orange juice stands

Frozen concentrate orange juice averaged $4.97 per 16 ounces in May 2026, +1.4% from the prior month and +12.2% from a year earlier. The current price is 0% above the BLS record of $4.97 set in May 2026.

Why supply is tight

USDA ERS has documented a long decline in U.S. orange juice production, with citrus greening and other diseases damaging trees and reducing output. Hurricanes and land-use pressure have added further stress to Florida citrus, the center of U.S. orange production for juice.

What the BLS series measures

Basket Report tracks BLS frozen concentrate orange juice, reported per 16 ounces at the U.S. city average. It is a retail price series, not a commodity futures quote, and it can differ from ready-to-drink juice products on a shelf.

Illustration related to why is orange juice so expensive?

Frequently asked questions

How much does orange juice cost right now?

Frozen concentrate orange juice averaged $4.97 per 16 ounces at the U.S. city average in May 2026.

Why has orange juice gotten expensive?

USDA ERS points to disease pressure such as citrus greening, weather damage and long-running production declines as major constraints on orange juice supply.

Is this ready-to-drink orange juice?

No. Basket Report tracks the BLS frozen concentrate orange juice series, reported per 16 ounces.

Sources and methodology

Reviewed May 2026 · Source data is independently analyzed by Basket Report and does not imply BLS endorsement.

Explore orange juice prices

Open the full BLS price history for frozen concentrate orange juice.

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