Citrosol ready for global Citrus Congress

Spanish postharvest specialist Citrosol will be highlighting recent product developments that it believes have raised treatment standards in the citrus sector while also delivering environmental and commercial benefits at the upcoming International Citrus Congress, which takes place this November in Valencia, Spain.
The event, which is staged in a different nation every three-four years, will be held between 18-23 November in the Main Auditorium at the landmark Valencia Conference Centre, where a variety of topics of ongoing interest to the global citrus sector will be debated.

Citrosol MD, Benito Orihuel (on the left), and colleagues at last year's Fruit Attraction

Among them will be a special focus on the “outstanding issue” of the benefits of citrus for human health and the influence that greater awareness among the general public of these benefits can have on consumption levels.

Postharvest treatment specialist Citrosol, which is a Diamond Sponsor for the event, will be on hand to deliver presentations that clients say demonstrate why it has remained “one step ahead” of the competition over recent years.

The citrus congress, which is organised by the International Society for Citriculture (ISC)i, has as its objectives to promote research and investigations into citrus, and the exchange of information and education concerning production, harvesting and distribution of the fruit.

Topics up for discussion include the Spanish citrus industry, citrus and health, the use of biological pest controls, new genetic and genomic tools for breeding, food safety, compliance and sustainability, and the importance of citrus to the juice and beverage sector.

During the postharvest session at the congress, Citrosol will present a study entitled, ‘Potassium sorbate increases citrus weight loss in postharvest treatments but it does not provide good decay control in wax’; a summary of its research on the use of this food additive to control citrus decay.

In particular, Citrosol’s research will highlight how potassium sorbate “increases weight loss” in citrus and waxes, while its effectiveness to control rot is “very low” when applied to wax.

According to Citrosol’s managing director, Benito Orihuel, the event presents a “magnificent opportunity” to highlight the company’s work to potential clients and opinion formers who, in many countries, influence growers’ choice of postharvest treatments.

During the congress, Orihuel explains, Citrosol will also host a special session for delegates, where the company will detail exciting developments in its postharvest product and system range, which offer new, cost effective solutions for growers in the sector.