THE sugar debate has spread into the fruit juices category with campaign group Action in Sugar claiming that the level of natural sugars means that some fruit juices and smoothies contain more sugar that carbonated soft drinks.
In its latest report on the category Key Note says that has led to a re-examination of the inclusion of juice drinks in five-a-day guidance.
And it says the category can also be vulnerable to periods of depressed consumer spending, due to the premium price point of products.
However it forecasts that juice drinks will grow by 14.5% from £2.03bn in 2015 to £2.33bn in 2019.
• Britvic says the juice drinks segment has been challenged by consumer perception of sugar content and as a result grew by only 1.2% in value and showed a 1.9% decline in volume in the last year.
It says it removed 6.9bn calories from the market when it decided to produce Robinsons only in its no-added sugar version.
• Highlighting the importance of new products, Ribena says its tropical range has contributed 75% incremental sales since its launch in 2014. To build on this, it has added an orange and guava flavour.
• Vimto has relaunched its mini 250ml ready to drink range with a new design intended to highlight to mums that it has no added sugar.
The range is available in a 59p PMP and the launch is being supported by a magazine advertising programme.
