Apeel has announced a collaboration with Robinson Fresh to make its protected limes available in European markets.
Starting in June, European retailers will have access to 'high quality, longer-lasting Persian Limes that stay green, fresh and juicy' from Robinson Fresh’s BIMA facility in Mexico.
Apeel’s plant-based coating extends the shelf-life of produce by keeping moisture in and oxygen out – the primary causes of spoilage. The coating can be applied to a variety of fruits and vegetables.
By giving limes more time within the supply chain, Apeel and Robinson Fresh can offer Persian limes from Mexico to European shoppers, while helping to prevent waste through the supply chain.
'Apeel's protection keeps limes at top quality for longer, enabling retailers to sell limes that keep their green colour, maintain their firmness, and have lower amounts of shrivelling,' the group stated.
In recent trials, when compared to traditional waxed limes, Apeel had 33 per cent more bright green limes and 91 per cent fewer shrivelled limes at approximately the time when limes would be in consumers' kitchens.
“From consumer research, we know that European shoppers look for greener and firmer limes at the point of purchase,” said Erich Klawuhn, senior vice-president product at Apeel.
“With longer-lasting limes retailers can give consumers what they are looking for, and can confidently build bright, abundant displays while reducing waste,' Klawuhn explained. 'Additionally, consumers can buy more with confidence that the limes they purchase are fresh and will last longer.”
The European expansion of longer-lasting limes is a continuation of a successful partnership with Robinson Fresh, which has distributed Apeel-protected limes to retailers throughout the US since 2020.
In 2021, Robinson Fresh and Apeel prevented an estimated 1.5m limes from going to waste at retail, avoiding 110 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and conserving 19m gallons of water.
“We are excited to continue building on our ongoing commitment to reduce waste and make the food ecosystem more efficient, while also offering differentiated ways for retailers to meet their own quality and sustainability needs,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of Robinson Fresh.
“By expanding our capacity with Apeel, we’re able to open up new markets and trade routes around the world and deliver the benefits of longer-lasting sustainable produce to even more retailers and consumers.”
