Cooperatives in Brazil crucial for small orange producers
Brazil is the world's number 1 orange producer with 4.3 million family farms, according to the Minister of Agriculture.
Grower Nelson Borges da Cruz turns to the cooperative Coopealnor to whom he sells his organic fruit for 650 réais (€200)/kilo instead of 550 for conventional fruit. ''The trees originally come from a research centre. So, we supply the small producers with genetically perfect material'' says Antonio de Almeida, technician at Coopealnor.
Sacks are filled with the fruit that has been picked and 4 men put aside the oranges that are too green, too small or marked. ''We separate the attractive fruit, that goes to the market, from that which is transformed for juice'', explains Cesar dos Santos as he empties a 50kg sack into his lorry. He explains that juice factories are important for turnover but only pay €86/ton compared to €168/ton on the market. Cesar dos Santos has put his money on the Caracara orange this year, ''the flesh is red and sweet''.
Coopealnor also aims to add value to citrus fruit. They recently acquired a fruit calibration machine. ''The producers pack their fruits into the pit, and at the end, they are washed, calibrated and waxed for a better conservation'' explains Antonio de Almeida proudly.
The installation cost the cooperative €300,000. The producers pay 20 réais to calibrate a ton of oranges (40% less than market price).
Oranges can't be stocked. Due to processing capacities, the small producers are subject to global rate fluctuations. ''A few large American or European bottlers determine prices of juice," says Mazinho Souza, who sees this machine as an important step. ''Until now producers were reluctant about large investments'', and quite rightly, ''Leaders of the group stole twice from the fund during its 20 years. '' he complains.