10. 09. 10. - 15:00

Fruit juice price warning issued

Prices of fruit juices and jams are set to soar, food industry officials have warned.

The Austrian Foodstuff Association announced today (Fri) fruit juices, jams and honey will become more expensive over the next few months due to dramatic harvest declines across Europe.

The body said: "Europe’s most important cultivation areas in Poland, Hungary and Serbia as well as Germany and Hungary report crop shortfalls of up to 60 per cent."

It added that prices for all fruits have already risen, adding that trading rates for plums were expected to be affected the most.

The association further warned that honey distribution bottlenecks could not be ruled out.

Austrian insurance officials warned only recently that the country’s farmers must brace for 25 per cent year on year harvest decreases this year due to a string of devastating thunderstorms and hail.