SmartPac: New solutions to extend blueberry postharvest

"In order to avoid any type of risk, you must have a controlled concentration of gas very close to the fruit, and that is what we are looking for with this system"

The blueberry industry has experienced a rapid and explosive development with the appearance of new players, so the increase in the supply of fruit and the opening of new (and more distant) markets, forces us to reach our destination with a quality product supporting increasingly extensive transits.

Lack of firmness (47%), dehydration (22%), the presence of fungi (18%) and loose skin (13%), are the main problems that affect the fruit in the stage of arrival at the markets from distant destinations.

The blueberry industry has fought these deficiencies for years by developing better management, looking for new varieties with better genetics, and applying more and better technology in all areas of crop production.

Solution technology

In order to mitigate the problems that Latin American fresh fruit presents - which must travel long distances to be better marketed and remain in good condition for several weeks after being harvested - the Quimas company has developed the SmartPac technology.

It is a packaging that protects and extends the life of blueberries. The company is launching three derivative products: “Pallet Sheets”, “Modified Atmosphere Bags” and “Ventilated Bags”, all with SO2 emission.

"These solutions have proven to be efficient in operational terms, and very convenient in terms of the 'performance' of the producer," says Sebastián Cáceres, Quimas development manager.

Pallet Sheet

In the case of “Lámina Pallet”, it is a product designed and developed for those producers who ship their fruit in bulk, which generates a minimum impact on pre-cold times. “This sheet with sulfur dioxide, measuring 1.00 x 1.20 meters, is installed on each of the levels of trays, before entering the cooling tunnels, without affecting the forced air flow during this process. Then, before loading the fruit into the container, a cap is placed on it, ”explains Cáceres, adding that it has a high impact, preventing dehydration of the fruit and reducing the risk of fungi.

“Lining the pallet externally with the SO2 source is not very efficient, especially when it is expected to reach the fruit that is in the center of the pallet. In order to avoid any type of risk, you must have a controlled concentration of gas very close to the fruit, and that is what we are looking for with this system ”, he says.

Modified Atmosphere Bag

In the case of "Modified Atmosphere Bags", with SO2 emission from the plastic matrix, the idea is that the higher the relative humidity that is generated inside the container, the lower the dehydration and the lower the weight loss. On the other hand, the greater the firmness, the greater the turgor and the greater the crispness of the blueberry, applying this technology.

"The experience of eating a blueberry that has traveled and remained for many days in a modified atmosphere bag is very good", highlights Cáceres.

The producers of blueberries in the world have had to adjust to the needs and demands of buyers and final consumers. "The importer prefers that the product arrives in this type of bags and pays more for that," says Nicolás Vidal, Quimas sales manager, adding: "Now, each company will have a greater or lesser capacity to make a volume of fruit in modified atmosphere bags, according to their logistics, fruit quality and cold infrastructure ”.

Ventilated atmosphere bag

For those companies in which modified atmosphere bags are not a solution, be it due to a logistical issue, cold capacity, infrastructure or simply a matter of preference, Quimas has designed a "Ventilated Bag", which follows seeking to keep the fruit in the best possible condition and in the longest transfer time.

"The modified atmosphere is an optimal solution because it avoids the two problems of deterioration of the fruit in post-harvest, but also the exporters know that there are associated risks. And ventilated bags are an effective solution for what agro-exporters are looking for ”, says Vidal. Throughout this process, Quimas does not leave clients alone, advising them at all times. "With the technical managers of the agro-exporters we are generating a dialogue to offer a solution that adjusts to the needs of each client and that is subsequently commercially validated", concludes Vidal.

Source
Martín Carrillo O. - Blueberries Consulting

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