Coca Cola to triple purchase of citrus in Argentina

Coca Cola plans to increase its citrus purchase by three folds to achieve a figure of 18,000 tons of concentrated orange juice in the next nine years. 

 

The plan is in line with its avowed objective of supporting the programs of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) to promote and develop the citrus sector.

 

The multinational announced that it will invest US$ 635,000 over the next six years in Argentina to collaborate with INTA on programs to promote and develop the sector. 

 

It plans to scale up its purchase of concentrated orange juice for the domestic market from 6,000 tons currently to 18,000 tons by 2025. 

 

Coca Cola also reaffirmed its commitment to citrus cultivation and other programs it supports financially, such as the production project to be carried out jointly with the Association of Citrus Growers of Concordia.

 

That project is aimed at recovering over several years more than 3,500 hectares of citrus in the area. Coca Cola also backs the Huanglongbing Disease Prevention Program (HLB). This bacterial condition destroys the production, appearance and economic value of citrus trees and is currently the main phytosanitary threat that the region faces.

 

According to an economic impact report commissioned by the company and conducted by the IERAL of the Mediterranean Foundation, Coca-Cola annually acquires 60 percent of the Argentinian production of concentrated orange juice, and 30 percent of the concentrated juice of lemon and grapefruit, equivalent to 80,000 tons of oranges, 15,000 tons of grapefruits and 170,000 tons of lemons. These investments generate 20,000 jobs in the NOA and NEA.

 

The statements were made by Michel Davidovich, General Manager of Coca-Cola for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, in the context of the 39th National Festival of Citriculture.