The newly-appointed president of Valencia-based citrus organisation Intercitrus, Jorge García, has called for “unity” in the Spanish region’s citrus sector, after admitting that the group had come close to being dissolved.
Speaking Intercitrus’ recent annual general assembly, Mr García called for the sector to show “unity, humility and tolerance” following the poor results of recent campaigns and the current difficult circumstances faced by the organisation itself.
The citrus impresario, who is also president of leading citrus producer García Ballester, said that Intercitrus could look forward to a positive future once it had overcome a crucial time that had taken it to the edge of extinction.
“We have learned that there has to be a little more humility and tolerance in order to reach agreements that are for the good of the sector,” he told El País.
However, Mr García comments came as the organisation’s members agreed on a budget of only €185,000 for Intercitrus for the 2009/10 campaign.
The restrictions imposed by a far smaller budget than in previous years – it is reportedly half the size of the previous budget – have forced the organisation to suspend a planned promotional campaign in the US.
Mr García’s positive comments contrast with a recent call for the break-up of Intercitrus by the non-member Valencian fresh produce association La Unió, which called the organisation “incapable” of solving the crisis in Spain’s citrus sector.
