How the juice pressing business works

More and more companies (producers, co-packers, fruit and vegetable centers, and retail chains) are incorporating industrial pressing services to supply natural and functional juice to third parties or for their own brands. The citrus season opens an ideal window to optimize raw materials and launch references with greater freshness and margin. 

Below, we explain how to structure the model and which Zumex industrial solutions fit according to objectives, volumes, and product types. 

What to consider when choosing your industrial pressing line? 

• Main raw material. Citrus (orange, grapefruit, lemon), apple, pineapple, grape, stone fruits or vegetables? Define your mix and the desired pulp percentage. 

• Product profile. Premium cold press juice, functional blend, base for pasteurization, or nectar? The product specification guides the technology. 

• Operating regime. Short and versatile batches (high recipe rotation) or stable continuous production? 

• Integration and traceability. Needs for washing, selection, extraction, filtration, thermal/cooling treatment, and bottling; as well as CIP, records, and regulations. 

• Scalability. Design with growth in mind: modules that allow capacity expansion without reinventing the plant. 

• Total cost of ownership (TCO). Energy efficiency, programmable maintenance, availability of spare parts, and technical support. 

Our industrial pressing solutions 

Select the technology based on the product and operation. Mastery prioritizes cold press quality and batch versatility; the Belt Press maximizes yield in continuous production. 

Mastery – Cold press for premium batches 

• Raw material: Wide spectrum: peeled/segmented citrus, apple, red fruits, vegetables, roots, functional blends. 
• Applications: Cold press juices, shots (ginger, turmeric), functional drinks, and bases for blends. 
• Key advantages: Gentle extraction that helps preserve color and sensory profile; agile recipe change; efficient handling of delicate raw materials. 
• Operation: Ideal for batches and schedules with high reference rotation; quick cleaning and product change. 
• Typical integration: Reception—washing—preparation/cutting—Mastery—filtration/deposit—cooling and/or treatment—filling. 
• Final format: Short-duration bottle, grab & go refrigerated, premium retail, or high-rotation foodservice. 

Zumex Belt Press – Continuous production and high yield 

• Raw material: Apple, grape, pineapple, stone fruits (peach, apricot), tropical fruits, and others with high fiber or pulp content. 
• Applications: High-volume lines for natural juices, nectar bases, blends, and processes with subsequent thermal treatment. 
• Key advantages: Continuous feeding, high juice recovery, and process stability; easy scaling with pre-pressing/post-pressing and filtration modules. 
• Operation: Extended shifts with stable recipes; less manual intervention per kilogram processed. 
• Typical integration: Washing—crushing/breaking—Belt Press—clarification/filtration—adjustment—pasteurization/cooling—filling or aseptic packaging. 
• Final format: Large distribution, private label, large-scale foodservice, or ingredient for other beverages. 

Zumex Citrus Lines – Specific extraction for citrus 

• Raw material: Seasonal orange, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon (according to bitterness/acidity specification). 

• Applications: Natural orange juice and citrus bases with pulp and essential oils control. 

• Key advantages: Equipment designed for citrus geometry and yield, with bitterness and solids control. 

• Operation: From compact lines to integrated plant; possibility of self-service bottling for retail. 

• Typical integration: Selection—washing—citrus extraction—deaeration/filtration—cooling—bottling. 

Business models that work 

• Co-packing / Third-party service. You produce and bottle for external brands; demand peaks during the citrus season. 

• Retail private label. You integrate the line to supply the store with freshly squeezed juice and grab & go. 

• Premium own brand. Cold press batches with functional recipes and seasonal rotation (seasonal orange editions, etc.). 

• B2B ingredient. Supply of juice bases for other categories (mocktails, smoothies, sauces, ice creams). 

How to get started on the right foot 

• Define catalog and specifications. % pulp, target Brix, acidity, and intended shelf life. 

• Choose the technological path. Batch cold press (Mastery) for differentiation and versatility; Bands for continuity and performance. 

• Design the complete line. From preparation (washing, peeling/cutting) to filling (refrigerated or treated). 

• Quality and CIP plan. Procedures, traceability, and sanitation adapted to your product mix. 

• Scale by modules. Start by optimizing seasonal citrus and expand to new fruits when the market responds. 

Zumex Industrial accompanies you throughout the project 

Process engineering, equipment selection, layout, commissioning, and after-sales support. We design turnkey solutions to make your pressing service profitable, scalable, and compliant with regulations. 

👉 Do you want a technical proposal for your pressing project? 

Contact our team and let's plan together the line you need.