US (FL): Coca-Cola to plant 5 million citrus trees
The company's partnership with Peace River Citrus Products and Cutrale Citrus Juices — a large Brazilian grower and juice processor — will allow the other two companies to plant 25,000 acres of orange trees in Polk, Hardee and DeSoto counties, Southwest of Orlando.
"The fact that one of the dominant Brazilian players will now have an ownership stake in actual production in Florida is a tremendous development," said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who joined the announcement outside Coca-Cola's giant juice-production plant in Auburndale.
Some 5 million new trees will be planted in the new groves, and Coca-Cola will acquire all of the fruit produced by those trees over the next 20 years.
According to a study conducted by the Florida Department of Citrus, the initiative will generate more than 4,100 direct and indirect jobs in the state.
"Citrus is synonymous with Florida, but the industry has faced many challenges in recent years, particularly the growing threat of citrus greening," Putnam said. "With Coca-Cola's generous investment, … the citrus industry and our state's entire economy will benefit."
Coca-Cola has owned the Minute Maid brand of orange juice since 1960. The company said it operates 26 facilities in Florida with a combined 6,100 workers.
Source: orlandosentinel.com
