Happy National Orange Juice (OJ) Day! Each year, May 4th celebrates this delicious and healthy beverage that many associate with the state of Florida, and for good reason. Here in the UF/IFAS Food & Resource Economics Department, our Florida Agricultural Marketing Research Center (FARMC) works closely with the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC ) to conduct research that helps us better understand consumer behavior when it comes to orange juice, including managing the FDOC OJ Tracker Survey. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve gathered a list of 10 key facts about this fruit juice that might just surprise you.
1.Orange Juice is the Official State Beverage of Florida
In 1967 the Florida legislature designated orange juice as the official state beverage.
2. Orange juice is the most popular juice among US consumers.
Orange juice is the most popular juice among US consumers, followed by apple juice. Per capita orange juice consumption (measured as availability) was 1.7 gallons, representing 41% of all fruit juice consumption, while apple juice was 1.5 gallons and accounted for 36% in 2024/25.
Source: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nuts-data/fruit-and-tree-nuts-yearbook-tables, Fruit and tree nut U.S. supply and availability: fresh, canned, juice, dried; per capita availability, U.S. population, G-40
3. Over half of all domestically produced orange juice comes from Florida oranges.
Florida accounts for 54% of domestically produced orange juice in the US.
Source: USDA. Fruit and tree nuts data – fruit and tree nuts yearbook tables. Fruit and Tree Nuts Data – Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Tables | Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nuts-data/fruit-and-tree-nuts-yearbook-tables, Citrus Fruit
4. Almost All Florida Oranges are processed into juice (as opposed to being eaten fresh)
91% of Florida oranges are processed into juice, while 71% of California oranges are used fresh.
Source: USDA. Fruit and tree nuts data – fruit and tree nuts yearbook tables. Fruit and Tree Nuts Data – Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Tables | Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nuts-data/fruit-and-tree-nuts-yearbook-tables, Citrus Fruit
5. Florida is the number one place consumers prefer oranges for 100% orange juice to come from.
Source: USDA. Fruit and tree nuts data – fruit and tree nuts yearbook tables. Fruit and Tree Nuts Data – Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Tables | Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nuts-data/fruit-and-tree-nuts-yearbook-tables, Citrus Fruit
6. Taste is the most important factor consumers consider when purchasing 100% orange juice.
Taste is the most important factor consumers consider when purchasing 100% orange juice (28%), followed by price (21%), health and nutritional benefits (14%), and brands (13%). FAMRC research shows that positive perceptions of orange juice are the leading demand driver, followed by awareness of orange juice promotions.
Source: FDOC OJ Tracker Survey, 2025
7. Over 1 pound of fresh oranges is needed to make 1 cup (8 oz) of orange juice.
It takes 3-4 medium sized oranges to produce one cup of orange juice. This means that a bottle of orange juice (46 oz) contains almost 7 pounds of oranges (over 20 oranges)!
8. USDA data show that households consumed four times as many oranges in juice as in fresh form in 2024-25.
Source: USDA. Fruit and tree nuts data – fruit and tree nuts yearbook tables. Fruit and Tree Nuts Data – Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Tables | Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nuts-data/fruit-and-tree-nuts-yearbook-tables, Fruit and tree nut U.S. supply and availability: fresh, canned, juice, dried; per capita availability, U.S. population, Tables G-40, G-42, G-32.
9. Most consumers purchase OJ regularly.
From the FDOC OJ tracker survey managed by FAMRC, 50% of survey respondents reported purchasing orange juice in the past month, followed by apple juice (36%) and cranberry juice (25%) in 2025. Most consumers purchase OJ regularly: 35% reported purchasing it in the last week, and 28% purchased it in the last month.
Source: FDOC OJ Tracker Survey, 2025
10. Males are more likely to be orange juice consumers than females (58% vs. 43%).
In addition, households with kids are more likely to drink orange juice than households without kids (67% vs. 40%). Millennials are the most likely to consume orange juice (64%), followed by Gen Z (55%), Gen X (47%), and Baby Boomers (36%).
Source: FDOC OJ Tracker Survey, 2025
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