Apr 18, 2005 9:43 AM, from staff and wire reports

Tropicana Products Inc is seeking to add 50 million additional gallons of juice storage capacity at its Bradenton FL plant. This expansion would nearly double the 60 million gallons of refrigerated juice storage approved as part of a six-phase expansion begun in 2001.

With phase four of the expansion almost complete, Tropicana plans to ask for the Bradenton planning commission's go-ahead to construct 3.2 more acres of storage buildings. This would bring the total to 8.7 acres.

In first quarter 2005, PepsiCo Beverages North America, which includes Tropicana, sustained a 2% decline in chilled juice volume. This loss was attributed to higher costs of commodities after the 2004 hurricane season, which saw four hurricanes batter Florida's citrus crop.

Upon approval, the latest expansion would create four additional phases of construction, with each phase being finished in about one year.