Benue State Juice Company Targets 80% Loss Reduction

The Benue State Fruit Juice Company (Benfruit) has commenced final test runs aimed at significantly reducing post-harvest losses of oranges by 80%, which is intended to enhance the local economy. This initiative is part of a reactivated partnership with the Brazil-based Sono Group, which was formalized through a partnership agreement signed in August 2025.

Sono Group is expected to manage the project over a 15-year period. Engr.

Henri Boager, the plant manager at Benfruit, reported that the facility in Makurdi currently operates at a capacity of four tons per hour. The company initiated product testing starting at two tons per hour, increasing to three tons, and ultimately reaching four tons to ensure product stability.

During the test runs, 6,000 liters of orange are crushed within three hours, with 2,200 liters sent hourly to a concentration chamber. The expected output is 75 drums of concentrated juice per week.