PureCircle has announced the growth of its supply of stevia in the fertile farmlands of Itapúa, Paraguay, with the planting of the initial 13 acres of Stevia in collaboration with the Kress.
This latest expansion of agriculture in Latin America is in line with the strategic objectives of PureCircle to ensure higher quality sources of Stevia and expand production worldwide.
These 13 acres are in areas owned by Kress group .The group, based in Asunción, in Paraguay, is well recognized for its brand of fruit sap Frutika. Frutika owns approximately 20,000 hectares of land currently used for the cultivation of several crops today, and has capacity for future expansion of Stevia. In addition, Itapúa, situated in southern Paraguay and share a usual border with Argentina alongside the Paraná River, has turn out to be a growing region of Stevia because it has become for soybeans and further crops.
"Our contract through Frutika is especially sweet, since now a partner in the whole chain," says Fernando Chilavert, Director General of South America SA PureCircle "Besides being a customer, which are now also one of our farmers. So we have a completely full circle, where an esteemed customer becomes an important supplier of our own, unique diversity of Stevia leaves, “Fernando adds.
Frutika is proud of its citizens and local land, with 100 percent of the Paraguayan fruit grew on its individual plantations on about 4,000 farmers. "We consider we have found a solution, Stevia, which has its roots in this land, and may be the best option for producers, processors and of course customers," said Kristin Kress, CEO of Frutika, adding "PureCircle is very dedicated Paraguay and to Stevia. We are working with PureCircle grow Stevia in order to carry out our tradition of using ingredients that come from this land."
Frutika light juices, sweet with Stevia by PureCircle, are now manufacturing their way to sell markets in South America, with development planned for Africa and Europe. "We believe that the world will inquire for Stevia, and it is our mission to give people a natural solution," said Kress.
