Eosta has received the first Kivinaki Organic Jucy Gold Oranges, marking a first in its citrus portfolio. The first customers have already placed the oranges on sale, and the response has been extremely positive. "The organic Valencia oranges from Peru have a particularly high juice content of 45%. This makes them ideal for fresh pressing, at home, in the catering industry, and in juice machines in shops. Moreover, the quality is excellent, as is the availability of the fruit," says Eosta. During the overseas season, Eosta expects new shipments every week.
© Eosta B.V.
The Jucy Gold Oranges are grown by small-scale farmers from the Kivinaki cooperative. They combine orange cultivation with crops such as mango, papaya, coconut, and maize, an approach that promotes biodiversity in the fields. Cultivation is organic and low-intensity, using compost and organic manure from seabirds. "This approach creates a robust farming system. The income from orange cultivation provides a livable income for the growers."
© Eosta B.V.
Raingrown: a more sustainable citrus alternative
The organic Jucy Gold Oranges are grown entirely on natural rainfall, without any irrigation. "This makes them a sustainable alternative to citrus from regions where scarce drinking water is extracted from rivers and groundwater. In addition, organic cultivation also supports better soil structure, allowing rainwater to be retained and used more efficiently."
© Eosta B.V.
Peke van Beek (r), Produktmanager Zitrus, zu Besuch im Ursprung.
Government support as a catalyst
Recently, two product specialists from Eosta visited the Kivinaki cooperative in central Peru. After a major outbreak of coffee rust (La Roya) in 2013, coffee cultivation disappeared from the lower-lying areas, and many farmers partially switched to orange and ginger production, often alongside their existing coffee plots on higher ground. "This diversification now forms the basis for a new phase: first in the form of exporting organic orange juice, and now also as a fresh product," he says. "For Peru, this project is very important. The government, through Agroideas, covered the majority of the investment in Kivinaki's new warehouse. A direct boost for sustainable cultivation and economic development in the region."
© Eosta B.V.
More information:
Eosta BV
IJsermanweg 15
2742KH Waddinxveen
T +31 180 635551
www.eosta.com