Brazil may raise fruit content in beverages to offset U.S. tariff losses

Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro confirmed on Wednesday (August 6) that the ministry is studying an increase in the minimum required percentage of natural fruit in beverages, such as bottled juices and soft drinks, as a way to stimulate domestic consumption of products that may no longer be exported to the United States due to the new tariff policy.

“We can and are already working on this, technically studying how to regulate a higher addition of fruit, of fruit juice, for example, in beverages themselves, in soft drinks, in bottled juices — recategorizing and expanding this,” he told journalists after an event in Brasília. He did not specify when the measure would be finalized or whether it would be included in the federal government’s upcoming contingency package.

According to Fávaro, the measure could also “improve the quality of the food consumed by the Brazilian population.” Brazil’s most exported fruits to the U.S. — and now subject to the 50% tariff — are mangoes and papayas.

The inclusion of natural fruit juice in beverages is regulated by presidential decree, meaning any changes require an amendment to the existing decree signed by President Lula. Different categories of beverages — such as juices, soft drinks, fruit nectars, syrups, and mixed pulps — are subject to varying mandatory minimum fruit content. The matter is managed by the Department of Inspection of Plant-Origin Products (Dipov) under the Secretariat for Agricultural and Livestock Defense.

Technical experts at the ministry noted that higher fruit content requirements existed in the past and were later adjusted, but could now be revised again. There is also concern about the timeframe needed for beverage manufacturers to adapt to new requirements. Potential changes to the composition of other foods, such as ice cream or chocolate, through the inclusion of honey or cocoa, are not currently under consideration by the ministry.

Decree 6.871/2009, for example, establishes that orange, tangerine, and grape-flavored drinks must contain at least 30% natural juice by volume. For lime drinks, the required percentage is 5%, and for passion fruit, 6%. Apple-flavored drinks must contain at least 20% natural juice.

In the case of soft drinks, the minimum percentages range from 2.5% for lemon-lime sodas to 10% for orange, tangerine, and grape beverages and 25% for apple-based drinks.

Source: Globo Rural

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