As part of the international Zitrus project, supported by the WWF, the company based in Amposta, Explotacions Agrícoles Oscar Navarro, has acquired a farm for the sustainable production of citrus fruits. Edeka, the German distribution giant is participating in this initiative that began in the Doñana area and aims at producing citrus more sustainably by decreasing the use of water, and pesticides, and conserving biodiversity.
According to Oscar Navarro, director of Explotacions Agrícoles Oscar Navarro, the lack of water and the pesticide and pollution issues in different areas, such as Doñana or the Mar Menor, might present an opportunity for the farmers of Terres de l'Ebre.
The businessman stressed that - even if it's unbeknownst to most people in the territory - this region of Catalonia produces a lot of citrus, especially Clemenules, which is produced in November and December.
Explotacions Agrícoles Oscar Navarro was established by Oscar Navarro's father. Mr Navarro was a fruit exporter and the supermarket chains encouraged him to also grow the product. Navarro bought a warehouse to handle and package the fruit and, in a short time, acquired farms to also grow his products. The family business currently manages 212 hectares of citrus and vegetable crops and its main market is Germany, although it also has a presence in the Netherlands, France, Norway, England, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
Source:thenewbarcelonapost.com