BENFRUIT Set for Market Launch after a  Successful Juice Production Test

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State Fruit Juice Company, BENFRUIT, has successfully carried out the final test run of its juice concentrate production line ahead of the product’s official entry into the Nigerian market.

The development marks a major step in the revival of the state-owned juice processing company under the management of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).

Recall that BIPC, in August 2025, entered into a partnership agreement with SONO Group Global Brazil to reactivate the moribund juice factory for a 15-year period as part of efforts to reduce post-harvest losses by 80 per cent and stimulate the state economy.

Speaking during the final testing exercise on Sunday, BENFRUIT Maintenance Manager, Engr. Boager Henry Boager, disclosed that the factory’s processing system currently operates at a capacity of four tonnes per hour.

According to him, the company initially commenced operations at two tonnes per hour before increasing to three tonnes and eventually stabilising at four tonnes per hour to ensure steady production.

He explained that about 6,000 litres of oranges were crushed within three hours during the testing phase, adding that the juice was extracted, pre-heated and transferred to the refinery and chamber for pulp separation and concentration.

Boager further explained that the juice undergoes continuous circulation inside the chamber before emerging as concentrate.

“We sent 400 litres into the juice tank within 30 minutes and 2,200 litres every hour into the chamber for concentration. By calculation, we expect significant concentrate output which is discharged into buckets and 23-litre barrels,” he said.

He revealed that the company targets production of about 75 drums daily and at least two container loads weekly once full operations commence.

Boager assured that the company had already begun employment of workers, describing staff welfare and conditions of service as encouraging.

He also urged Benue farmers to sustain orange cultivation, assuring them of a ready market for their produce.

“We are encouraging Benue citizens to keep their orange orchards because the fruits will be fully utilised here. The money will remain in circulation within the state economy, benefiting even the smallest orchard owner,” he stated.

The manager commended the Benue State Governor for supporting the industrialisation drive through BIPC and also praised the company’s Group Managing Director, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, for spearheading the revival initiative.