Longtime Central Florida-based Peace River Citrus Products recently announced a $98 million expansion of its Polk County citrus processing facility, as well as a new 10-year agreement with Coca-Cola North America to manufacture juice beverages for Minute Maid at the new facility.
The 320,000-square-foot facility expansion is expected to create up to 175 jobs in Polk County by early 2022. Peace River currently conducts extensive citrus processing operations for Coca-Cola, which will be significantly increased under the new agreement.
Over the past decade, Peace River and Coke have made several long-term investments in the Florida citrus industry. Just last year, the two — along with other citrus industry partners — announced an investment of more than $25 million to plant a quarter million new grapefruit trees on 1,500 acres in the Sunshine State.
In response to the latest deal, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried submitted the following statement: “This announcement is a truly significant investment, which provides great hope for the future of Florida citrus. Coca-Cola could have chosen anywhere in North America with whom to partner, including Mexico, and in choosing Peace River’s world-class citrus operations has made a strong statement about the quality and capacity of Florida’s resurgent citrus industry.”
Fried has proposed significant citrus funding in this year’s budget request. This includes $8 million for citrus research projects, $7.4 million for citrus health and fighting pests and diseases, and $2.5 million to support the Citrus Inspection Trust Fund.