Every year, the Coca-Cola Company acquires in Argentina $245 million dollars in fruit juices and its derivatives to supply the production of juices, flavored waters, soft drinks and other beverages in 20 countries around the world.
The Company estimates that, of the total purchases in 2015, $44 million are destined to the Argentine market and $201 million dollars to international markets.
The company stated that it had bought about 37,000 tons of concentrated juice and its derivatives, equivalent to 1.2 million tons of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, apples, grapes, pears, and peaches this year. In all cases, Coca-Cola acquires products with added value that were processed by local businesses from different regions of the country.
This has a direct impact on the economy of the producers of fruit juices, such as Mendoza, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Jujuy, Formosa, Misiones, Tucuman, Salta, Neuquén, Rio Negro, and San Juan.
Coca-Cola acquires 60% of Argentina's orange juice production, 12% of the country’s lemon juice, and 27% of the grapefruit juice each year, said Francisco Do Pico, director of Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola Argentina.
According to the latest report of Fedecitrus, the country’s total production was worth 1.041 billion dollars. Coca-Cola buys $219 million in citrus and its derivatives, i.e. 21% of Argentina’s total production.
"We are proud to report that the fruit grown in our country has a very important role for our products, both in Argentina and throughout the world. The quality of Argentina’s fresh fruit and the local value added made it possible for these regional economies to have become so important," said Do Pico.
