FCOJ Market Data, Brix and Grade Specifications

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-12Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Market value

$2.6B

Producing countries tracked

4

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

3

Trade corridors

3

Latest reviewed evidence

The figures below are product and grading requirements from the USDA United States Standards for Grades of Orange Juice, effective November 18, 2025 and corrected and reprinted June 10, 2026, together with the current Codex juice standard. They do not establish current FCOJ availability, certify a shipment, represent a futures quote or provide a live delivered physical price.

Unsweetened FCOJ concentrate Brix minimum

41.8

degrees Brix for U.S. Grade A and Grade B · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

Sweetened FCOJ concentrate Brix minimum

42

degrees Brix for U.S. Grade A and Grade B · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

Reconstituted unsweetened FCOJ Brix minimum

11.8

degrees Brix for U.S. Grade A and Grade B · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

FCOJ U.S. Grade A total-score minimum

90

points · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

FCOJ U.S. Grade B total-score minimum

80

points · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

Grade A recoverable-oil maximum

0.035

percent by volume in reconstituted juice · USDA standard effective 2025-11-18; corrected 2026-06-10

FCOJ, reduced-acid concentrate and manufacturing concentrate stay separate

The USDA standard lists frozen concentrated orange juice, reduced-acid frozen concentrated orange juice, canned concentrated orange juice and concentrated orange juice for manufacturing as separate product identities tied to federal standards of identity. Atlas does not use the FCOJ label as a shortcut for every orange concentrate. Product identity, sweetening status, acid treatment, pack form and intended use remain attached to the lot.

Brix and acid ratio travel with the grade

For ordinary frozen concentrated orange juice, the USDA table sets minimum concentrate Brix values of 41.8 degrees for unsweetened product and 42.0 degrees for sweetened product in both Grade A and Grade B. Reconstituted unsweetened product is graded at a minimum 11.8 degrees Brix. Brix-to-acid ranges also depend on grade, sweetening style and whether the product originated inside or outside California and Arizona, so an isolated Brix number is not a complete grade claim.

Grade is a combined sensory and analytical result

USDA Grade A requires at least 90 total score points and Grade B at least 80, based on appearance, proper reconstitution, color, defects and flavor plus analytical requirements. Grade A expects very good color and flavor and practical freedom from defects; Grade B allows good color and flavor and reasonable freedom from defects. Recoverable oil in reconstituted juice is capped at 0.035 percent by volume for Grade A and 0.040 percent for Grade B.

A grading standard is not a live physical or futures price

Quality rules make lots comparable; they do not supply a market price. A physical FCOJ estimate still needs current permitted observations for a defined origin, crop, Brix, acid ratio, grade, frozen condition, pack, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window, freight and information vintage. Any futures anchor stays separately labelled, and Atlas withholds a physical estimate when required observations or usage rights are absent.

Questions procurement teams ask

Does FCOJ mean every type of orange-juice concentrate?

No. The USDA standard distinguishes ordinary frozen concentrate, reduced-acid frozen concentrate, canned concentrate and concentrate for manufacturing. The exact product identity and style must be stated.

What is the USDA minimum Brix for frozen concentrated orange juice?

For ordinary FCOJ, the current USDA table sets 41.8 degrees Brix for unsweetened concentrate and 42.0 degrees for sweetened concentrate in both Grade A and Grade B. Reconstituted unsweetened juice has an 11.8-degree minimum.

What separates U.S. Grade A and U.S. Grade B FCOJ?

Grade A requires at least 90 total points, very good color and flavor and practical freedom from defects. Grade B requires at least 80 points, good color and flavor and reasonable freedom from defects, with its own analytical limits.

Which fields make physical FCOJ offers comparable?

Orange source, ordinary or reduced-acid identity, sweetening status, concentrate and reconstituted Brix, Brix-to-acid ratio, grade, sensory and analytical results, recoverable oil, crop and processing origin, frozen condition, pack, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.