Bucks to lose its fizz as orange juice prices bubble

Christmas toasts may have to be slightly stronger this year, with festive tipple Bucks Fizz set to be affected by a sharp increase in the price of orange juice and fresh fruit.

Beacon, Britain's biggest purchasing company, have said that fresh juice manufacturers are reporting a pricing surge in the concentrated orange juice market, of as much as 54% in the last four months.

The overspill of prices has been attributed to a variety of factors, including extreme weather conditions and crop diseases, as well as overheads associated with Britain's decision to leave the European Union earlier this year in the Brexit referendum.

"The festive season might have a little less sparkle over the next few weeks, as manufacturers are hit with a significant increase in the cost of orange juice, a key ingredient in the classic Bucks Fizz, and the price of fresh fruits continues to fluctuate," commented Category Manager for Drinks at Beacon, Kelley Walker.

"This unique combination of a heavier than average storm season, crop disease and the weakening of the pound has severely impacted the supply and the price of orange crops," she added. "Price increases is a trend we predict will continue into 2017, especially with the full effects of Brexit yet to be realised."

Other food and drink products have also seen sharp price rises this year, including smoked bacon and coffee. In addition, fresh fruits such as strawberries, kiwis and pineapples have experienced wild fluctuations in pricing throughout 2017, according to Beacon's research.