Thursday April 20th, 2023

“Itacitrus is a success story that began in 1988, when Vicente Alvair Promicia started a small production of organic limes in Itajobi, in the countryside of the Brazilian state of São Paulo”, stated Waldyr Promicia, Vicente’s son and current president of the company which produces and exports organic limes.

Today, Itacitrus, which participates in the Frutas do Brasil project — the export program of the Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruit and Derivatives (Abrafrutas), with the support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) —  is located in Inhambupe, a county in the Brazilian state of Bahia, which is 150 km from Salvador and  became the biggest employer in the city.

With a farm covering 2,300 hectares, 1,000 of which are dedicated to growing limes, the company is committed to 100% organic production. For this reason, Itacitrus produces its own fertilizer using fungi and bacteria, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability at all stages of the process.

The company exports an average of 8 to 9 thousand tons of organic limes, representing around 70% of its production. The export destination is countries such as Holland, England, Germany and other European markets, with Holland being one of the main importers and distribution hubs on the continent. In addition, Itacitrus also works with direct sales to European supermarkets.

Sustainability

The concern with the preservation of the environment is a priority for Itacitrus. The company is strictly commited to environmental requirements, carrying out reforestation on the banks of rivers and maintaining a distance of 100 meters from the bank, while the minimum required is 30 meters. In addition to these measures, it also preserves 30% of its total area as a conservation place.

Itacitrus goal is to become the largest producer of organic limes in the world and is already the largest organic lime producer in Brazil.

“We believe it is possible to unite economic growth with sustainability and social responsibility. We want to contribute to a better and more sustainable world, following universal principles of preservation of the environment and constantly seeking socially and ecologically compliant products”, highlights Waldyr, reassuring Itacitrus’ commitment to producing high quality organic limes and promoting sustainable practices in all aspects of its business.

About Frutas do Brasil

Abrafrutas (Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Derivatives), in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), develops a project to support Brazilian exporters in their quest to expand their business; opening new markets; recognition and differentiation of Brazilian fruits; increase the healthy habit of consuming tasty and superior quality fruits. Since the project started in 2014, Frutas do Brasil aims to show that Brazil is a provider of quality fruits produced in a sustainable way.

About Abrafrutas

The Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruit and Derivatives (Abrafrutas) is a non-profit association whose purpose is to represent and promote Brazilian fruit growing in the international market. Created in 2014, Abrafrutas has approximately 70 associated fruit exporters and holds approximately 85% of the total volume of fresh fruit exported by Brazil.