Paramount Citrus Broadens Value-Added Services, Increasing Organic Acreage Ten-Fold Back To Press Releases
ORLANDO, FLA. (PMA FRESH SUMMIT, BOOTH #469) - 10/25/2008 - Customers looking for a single source of organic navel oranges need look no further than Paramount Citrus, which is expanding organic navel acreage by more than 300 acres.
“Offering significantly more organic navels is another move to meet customer demand with a consistent supply of fresh, great-tasting citrus,” said David Krause, president, Paramount Citrus. “Should our customers feel the need for more organic citrus, whether navels or another variety, we have the capability to convert additional acreage to meet organic demand.”
Paramount Citrus, the largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus in the U.S., has been farming organically since the early 1990s, and is one of the largest growers of organic navels and will soon be the single largest. Organic citrus denotes that throughout the growing and packaging process the fruit is not exposed to any non-approved substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. In order for a crop to be certified organic, the land on which the fruit is grown must be farmed organically for three years or not used for three years. Furthermore, the land must be a safe distance from any conventionally grown fruit to guarantee no cross-contamination.
All Paramount Citrus organic acres have been farmed organically for three years or more, ensuring no residual non-organic products are in the trees. All growers who meet certain production, handling and processing standards may label their product as “USDA Certified Organic.” Paramount Citrus uses a third-party auditor to ensure compliance and certification of organic standards.
“We have the scale and resources at Paramount Citrus to build long-term success for our customers, including value-added product offerings like organic navels,” said Krause.
Paramount Citrus continually makes significant investments into research and development in consumer taste profiles, unique growing practices and operations, including pulling several thousand acres and replanting new varieties if the taste does not meet consumer standards. Dedication to research and development further demonstrates the company’s capacity and commitment for success in both the present and future, Krause said.
Organic products can be purchased directly from Paramount Citrus sales representatives in limited volumes beginning December 2008, with the majority of the new acreage certified beginning in January 2009.
Paramount Citrus is the largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus – Clementine mandarins, Navel oranges, Valencia oranges, lemons and other citrus varieties – in the U.S. More than 10 million cartons from more than 30,000 acres of fresh citrus from its groves are shipped annually throughout North American and the Pacific Rim, processed from its facilities in the San Joaquin Valley and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.paramountcitrus.com.