World’s largest exporter of orange juice vows to have 100% of its supply chain sustainable

10/03/2022

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Mario Bavaresco — Foto: Divulgação

Citrosuco, the world’s largest exporter of orange juice, has just defined its commitments in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) fields by 2030.

The Matão-based company controlled by the Fischer and Votorantim groups confirmed that, by the end of the decade, 100% of its supply chain will have to adopt measurable and certified sustainable socio-environmental practices, and now projects that, with efforts in this and other fronts, it will reduce its gas emissions by almost 30% in scopes 1 (related to the direct operations of the company itself) and 2 (involving the consumption of electric power).

CEO Mario Bavaresco said that the commitments unveiled now are in line with practices already in place for more than a decade.

Currently, 100% of the company’s own orange production follows the necessary sustainable agriculture parameters, and the same happens with about 65% of the independent fruit suppliers. There are about a thousand suppliers in total, and those that have not yet reached the required standards (usually the smaller ones) are moving in this direction with the company’s guidance.

With revenues estimated by the market at between R$3 billion and R$4 billion per year, Citrosuco has already certified 1.9 million hectares of its own orange production, spread over 25 farms in São Paulo and Minas Gerais states.

The company estimates that its orchards already capture more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. With the goal of reducing emissions in scopes 1 and 2 by 28% by 2030, the volume removed could reach 1.6 million tonnes by 2030. For the reduction of scope 3 emissions, for which the company’s responsibility is indirect, the international criteria are still being refined and the targets, likewise.

Besides pursuing 100% socio-environmental compliance in its orange supply chain, with a focus on legal reserves, permanent protection areas, soil erosion, waste management, use and disposal of agrochemical packaging, and agronomic and labor issues in the agricultural areas under its influence, Citrosuco also wants to foster biodiversity.

Clauber Andrade, the company’s head of sustainability, points out that more than 19,000 hectares of conservation areas are already being managed. Besides, advances will continue to be made with increased production of bees and honey, expansion of native seedling nurseries, and monitoring of fauna and flora. As it uses irrigation on several farms, the company invests in the management of water resources.

With about 400 employees, besides those hired during harvests, the world’s largest exporter of orange juice also states that it has among its pledges the promotion of diversity, equality and inclusion. “We want to provide greater representation of women and blacks in our leadership. By 2030, we have committed to expand opportunities and access to leadership positions by women and blacks, reaching at least 30% representation,” Citrosuco said.

“All the commitments we have established represent a great challenge, and when we manage to achieve them, we will have others. But we will have a 100% sustainable production, more efficient and with higher productivity,” Mr. Bavaresco said. Over the past four years, Citrosuco has invested more than $400 million in the development of new projects, technologies, innovation, modernization and increasing capacity and productivity.

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com