Concentrated juice exports amounted to 22,230 tons at the end of September because of the global economic crisis, especially in Brazil. This figure is 14% lower than in the same period last year and the lowest volume exported in the last three decades.
This year’s exports are far from the nearly 50,000 tons exported by the end of September in the 2011 season. The fruit crisis undoubtedly affected this industry that was a key support system for years, sources from the juicing sector in Rio Negro told BAE International Business.
In 2003, there were twelve active companies in the juicing sector and they exported 90,000 tons of pear and apple concentrate. It just goes to show how bad the crisis has affected the sector, stated some businessmen.
According to data recently published by the Patagonia Norte SA port terminal, only four companies were able to export their products this year. That is, the crisis has already led to the closure of eight companies, more than 250 people lost their jobs, and exports tumbled by nearly 70%.
The regional juicing industry allocates 90% of its offer to the foreign market. Since 2007 prices have followed a downward trend and costs have increased.
