A report by America's Juice and Smoothie Association (JASA), shows that the juice and smoothie business has topped 1 billion in sales for the first time.
The last year has certainly seen a number of new products in this category, with most aiming to tap into the current demand for healthier, more nutritious foods and snacks.
"We have seen steady industry growth over the past several years, with a slight dip from 2000 - 2002. 2002 is what we are calling a second wind for the industry," said JASA director Dan Titus.
Titus explained that there is growing awareness of what smoothies are and they are increasingly seen on menus, as a dessert or a complete meal.
The report, '2002 Juice & Smoothie Bars in the US', discusses retail quick-service chain operations specialising in fresh-squeezed juice and smoothies. It also covers product uses, including meal replacement, meal accompaniment and desserts.
The rise of the specialised market is also examined in the context of the overall fruit beverage industry. The report provides data on shelf-stable packaged smoothies, addresses franchising and regional issues and analyses the major players and their strategies.