“Nowadays Totai Citrus is exporting fresh lemons to Europe (Netherlands, England, Italy), Uruguay and Hong Kong. We are also looking forward to exporting to the Japanese market. In addition, we are working to open the fresh fruit market in China, France, Germany, Canada and the USA. In South America, we are looking to developing the Chilean and Peruvian markets", said Jürgen Bartels (Sales Manager) and Mariana Zamora (International Trade Dept.) from the leading Bolivian company in the production of lemons and their derivatives, Totai Citrus.
Totai Citrus
The company was established in 2009, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra – Bolivia, being a pioneer in the production and processing fresh lemon fruit. Shortly after, the company started developing lemon derivatives such as essential oil, concentrate juice, dry peel and pectin. “We are known for our good agricultural practises and our use of sophisticated technology, which enables us to reach the highest standards of international productivity and quality; accompanied by sustainability guidelines and CSR policies. That makes it possible to export to Europe, United States and Asian market.”
Jürgen continues the farms are located in the Northeast of territory of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. “Spanning more than 5000 Hectares (12.355 acres) of which less than 50% are planted, as a corporate policy in order to respect the forests. Our plant facilities are located within the same area of planting and harvesting installed with the appropriate technology for each process, including conservation with cold chambers with storage capacity of 1800 tons, and a modern packing line with selection, electronic calibration and a size-by-image sorting machine, which allows us to guarantee the standards according to the customer requirement.”
Own production
The company has the advantage of having its own production, as the company cultivates and produces its own seedlings; and controls from genetic engineering to the development of its plantations.
In addition, Mariana explains, the region where the lemons are produced has exceptional climatic conditions. “It reaches an average annual temperature of 24º Celsius and an index of rainfall exceeding 900 mm. Therefore, we are able to produce more than 60,000 tons of lemons annually, a figure that positions us to meet our costumer’s need in a quick, safe and reliable way every time in the months during which our closest competitors do not produce.”
Peak season from January till June
About 70% of the total production of Totai Citrus comes out during the months January till June. “The remaining 30% is our offer during the months July to December. We work with five varieties, of which Limoneira, Lisboa and Genova are the most important ones. Nowadays, we don´t offer bio production. Nevertheless, in compliance with the demand of the global market, the company has international certifications, ensuring the procurement of high-quality products and preservation of the environment”. This helps positioning the company as a leader in the Bolivian citrus industry and with international recognition.
Bolivia is known as an export country in other fields, apart from fresh fruit according to Jürgen. “The future of Bolivia as a production country is very promising. As a company, we are planning to make investments and increase our production year by year. This is not just for the fresh market, but also for oil, concentrates and pectin since the demand from our customers from the EU, USA and Asia has been increasing.”
Lemons priced within international range
“Our lemons are in the international range of prices, although it is known that the market sets the price in the fresh fruit industry. No company would be able to play a role with higher prices. If a company wants to be reliable and keep a long-term relationship with a customer, fair sales agreements are crucial”, says Jürgen.
Totai Citrus wants to be noticed for supplying of high quality products, but as well for the sustainability and long-term business relations. He concludes: “Most of our clients are buying from our company for several years. Now we are in the position to expand our country customer portfolio, to let more companies know that Totaí Citrus is a serious player that is available to attend the worldwide markets.”
