Jamba Juice passes along spike in citrus costs-2007Jamba Juice passes along spike in citrus costs-2007

SAN FRANCISCO The 570-unit Jamba Juice chain has increased the price of smoothies and other drinks made with orange juice to offset a rise in the cost of citrus fruits since freezing temperatures devastated California’s crop last week.

Jamba raised the price of freshly squeezed orange juice by 35 cents per order, and increased the price of smoothies and juice blends incorporating orange juice by 25 cents. Chain officials described the hikes as temporary and said prices may be lowered if citrus availability improves later in the year.

Freezing temperatures over several days last week caused more than $1 billion in damage to California’s citrus crops and other fruits and vegetables. Navel and Valencia orange growers were among those hardest hit.