That unmistakable “schhhhhlorp” sound of frozen juice returning to store shelves may soon be heard across Canada. Loblaw plans to bring back frozen concentrated drinks, which could delight consumers who have missed this staple.

The Return of Frozen Juice Concentrate

Loblaw’s No Name brand is set to launch various flavors of frozen concentrated juice, including White Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Limeade, Grape Punch, Fruit Punch, and Berry Punch. The products are expected to hit stores by the end of June. This change comes after Coca-Cola discontinued its Minute Maid line of frozen juices earlier this year, leaving Canadians without frozen juice options.

Previously, Coca-Cola’s facility in Peterborough, Ontario, was the last manufacturer of frozen juice concentrate in Canada. Only a few brands remained as the market for frozen juice dwindled, with others, like Old South, having exited the category years ago. Demand for frozen products had declined significantly, prompting companies to pull out.

Demand from Consumers

Despite the earlier downturn in the frozen juice market, Loblaw spokesperson Rachel Siekanowicz expressed that customers still show strong interest in these drinks. However, it’s important to note that the new frozen juices will not come from a Canadian source. In fact, there are currently no manufacturers producing frozen juice concentrate in the country. Loblaw began searching for alternatives once it learned about the discontinuation of Coca-Cola’s products.

The popularity of frozen juice has waned over the last few decades. Analysts attribute this trend to changes in consumer preferences. Only about seven percent of juice consumed in Canada now comes from frozen concentrate, according to Emma Balment, a market strategist at Ipsos.

Pricing and Future Outlook

Loblaw aims to keep the new products affordable. While exact prices will vary by store, initial estimates suggest that a 295-milliliter can will cost around $2.25. There’s also potential for more options in the future, as an unnamed Canadian company is reportedly considering re-entering the frozen juice market.

The timing of this return could be significant, particularly for celebrations and gatherings. Frozen juice concentrate has traditionally been a key ingredient in holiday favorites, like the popular “slush” cocktail. Newfoundlanders especially look forward to having this ingredient available as the festive season approaches.

What this means for you

For consumers, the return of frozen juice signifies a change in beverage options and pricing in grocery stores. Understanding the fine print is crucial, especially when looking at product ingredients or pricing agreements. If you ever need to review any consumer documents, legal-document-to-plain-english-translator/”>AI legalese decoder can decode the fine print and make it easy to understand.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/frozen-juice-is-back-9.7225912