The Florachem team is thrilled to confirm Chuck Kropp as our new chief financial officer. Chuck’s unique industry-specific experience has already made him an incredibly valuable part of our growing organization, and his arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. We’re excited to add his talents to our expanding operations and capabilities for years to come.
The Right Experience for the Job
Chuck joins Florachem with over 25 years of manufacturing finance experience in both the public and private sectors, always with a customer-focused approach. Recently, Chuck helped a specialty chemical company grow and ultimately go public on the NYSE, which is certainly no small feat. Before specialty ingredients, Chuck worked in smart-grid utility manufacturing, thermal components, and the automotive industry. That experience will be critical to serving our diverse customer base.
Making Moves – to Sunny Florida
After spending much of his professional life in the St. Louis area, Chuck is making the move to Jacksonville, home to the Florachem headquarters. We’re thrilled to have him as a resource for our leadership and management teams.
Chuck is an avid runner in his spare time and enjoys finding outstanding local cuisine.
“I’m very excited to join Florachem. The team here is very energetic and are industry experts for the products we provide our customers.”
– Chuck Kropp, Florachem CFO
Growth Starts at the Top
Florachem’s long-term success starts with bringing in smart, motivated leaders. Our ongoing commitment to finding great people augments our investments in new facilities and strategic partnerships. See what Florachem is all about; contact us today, and be sure to welcome Chuck to the Florachem team!
Citrus flavors have always been a consumer favorite in packaged food and beverages. Over the past year, however, citrus-flavored sports drinks have exploded in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, surprising manufacturers and creating a race to meet skyrocketing demand.
The sports drink market in APAC is growing faster than the broader food and beverage category, with a forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% through 2029.
The appeal of citrus drinks in the APAC market mirrors the value proposition attracting consumers in other markets: great flavor and health benefits.
What’s Driving the Citrus Flavor Trend?
The explosion in demand overseas represents an amplified version of similar trends worldwide and established North American and European markets.
A substantial component of that growth is the expansion of sports drink varieties. Once dominated by a few key players like Gatorade, sports drinks are now catering to a broader audience with new, natural flavors and specific health features.
For North American manufacturers, understanding beverage trends overseas cements sales numbers in more established markets.
Natural flavors like citrus fruits appeal to health-and wellness-focused consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a renewed interest in functional ingredients promising immunity support and antioxidants. Additionally, there’s a continued shift toward natural, sustainable ingredients that show no sign of slowing down.
Citrus-flavored sports drinks provide the “clean label” appeal many consumers are looking for while delivering critical nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, and riboflavin.
Fresh Flavors for Changing Tastes
One of the appealing characteristics of citrus is variety. Manufacturers rely on diverse citrus fruits to create fresh, complex, and delightful flavors that adapt well across applications. Whether consumers are looking for sustained energy, vitamins and minerals, a carbonated citrus beverage, or a low-calorie alternative to other products, citrus-flavored drinks can deliver.
Sports drinks were historically a one-note offering centered on artificial flavors. While those products remain popular, market observers note a robust growth trend in multi-note offerings that blend one or more citrus fruits with other flavor pairings. It’s no surprise to find a citrus drink list with several blends, including new players like blood orange flavor, lemon, lime, passion fruit, dragon fruit, and more.
As APAC Surges, the North American Citrus Flavors Market Remains Strong
The well-established North American citrus flavors market, including sports drinks and other beverage categories, remains sound, with a forecasted 3.84% CAGR through 2027.
For many beverage manufacturers, emerging segments like hard seltzers, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and non-alcoholic beer and liquor beverages are top growth opportunities – and citrus flavors can play an important role in all of them.
Surveys show that American consumers are looking to citrus for punchy, tangy flavors. Manufacturers achieve excellent results by combining familiar staples (orange and lemon) with innovative newcomers like pink grapefruit and key lime headlining some of the newest domestic product debuts.
Develop Winning Citrus-Flavored Drinks with Florachem
There’s a domestic and international appreciation for that fresh, exciting citrus taste in consumer products.
No matter what market you’re targeting with your flavors, Florachem is committed to supplying you with the quality citrus ingredients you need to set your brand apart.
With world-class facilities and technical expertise, we’re ready to create and supply you with exactly the citrus ingredients you need to put the best possible product in the hands of your customers – no matter where they are. Let’s start the conversation!
