Consumption declines were due to grapes being diverted to fresh consumption and wine production. Per capita consumption also declined for apricots and figs, but increased for dried dates, peaches and prunes. Apple and pear consumption remained constant. Fruit Juice Fruit juice consumption accounts for 47 percent of all fruit consumed in the U.S. Americans consumed 8.6 gallons of fruit juice per person in 1996. Apple juice consumption increased 6 percent due to the large U.S. apple crop in 1996.
Apple juice accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total noncitrus fruit juice consumed annually.
Grape and prune juice consumption declined in 1996. Citrus juice consumption was nearly steady in 1996. Domestic consumption of orange juice totaled 1.4 billion gallons in 1996. Despite abundant supplies of orange juice, retail prices remained firm throughout the year and limited increases in consumption. Grapefruit juice consumption fell 21 percent in 1996, despite a large grapefruit crop in Florida.