Jaguar the Fresh Company has announced that in line with its new strategic objectives for 2021 and onwards it will intensify its involvement and increase its volumes of the so-called Clean Citrus: oranges that receive no post-harvest treatment with any chemical substances.
“We started some years ago with identifying the most effective way of producing, processing, packing and exporting our Egyptian oranges in a way that is free from any of the traditional post-harvest chemicals that have been used for decades. Clean fruit has now become a key focus point of our commercial strategy”, said Conrad Rijnhout, Jaguar’s Commercial Director.
Rijnhout said that consumers are increasingly aware of the use of post-harvest chemicals that could be detrimental to the environment and to mankind. “In the post-Covid global scenario millions of consumers seem to be making choices for food products that really promote good health. In line with this trend citrus has seen an amazing growth in popularity in 2019, and we expect the solid growth in this category to continue. We have been seeing a steady increase in the demand for Fairtrade fruit. Last year the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) put forward a proposal to cut the MRL for the post-harvest chemical Imazalil from 5mg/kg to 0.01mg/kg, causing consternation among Europe’s main citrus producing countries. A compromise was reached with the MRL now being set at 4mg/kg. But I am sure that this is just the beginning of the move towards really clean fruit”.
Sven Thomas, Technical Manager of Jaguar is responsible for supporting growers all over the world. He is a passionate supporter of chemical-free fresh produce. ‘These recent developments regarding MRL’s gave us more than enough reason to accelerate our focus on Clean Citrus. Our first major exports in 2019 received positive results, and this year we improved even further. Today our oranges have a beautiful appearance and come with a guarantee that it is completely free of post-harvest chemicals. In fact, the product that we use for our oranges from Egypt is even used in organic farming of other products. We are really proud to be the first movers in this regard and are happy that retailers are responding positively”.
Jaguar’s loadings of ChemFree Clean Citrus Valencia oranges – also available as Fairtrade variant – will commence in week 3. Loadings of conventional navels will be done as from week 50.
Jaguar The Fresh Company ships its citrus directly from Egypt to several countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.
For more information:
Conrad Rijnhout
Jaguar The Fresh Company
Conrad.rijnhout@jaguartfc.nl
Mobile: + 31 651 405852