Fresh Del Monte is running a UK trial with new packaging that keeps bananas fresh for almost a week.
The new single banana pack individually seals the fruit to extend its shelf-life and was developed and designed in conjunction with a Del Monte Fresh packaging supplier.
It uses Controlled Ripening Technology (CRT) to get up to six days shelf-life from the banana and is being trialled across a small number of stores.
Del Monte is also using the same technology for a 1.3kg bag, extending shelf-life by up to an additional three days over a standard bag.
The company is targeting the impulse purchase market including gyms, garage forecourts and leisure centres with the product.
Del Monte UK managing director James Harvey defended possible criticisms regarding over-packaging of the product, stating that the waste it prevents more than negates the extra single packaging.
He told the Fresh Produce Journal: “Del Monte’s new CRT packaging is designed to provide significant carbon footprint savings by reducing the frequency of deliveries and the amount of waste going to landfill. The packaging is also recyclable. It is a great product and perfect for the convenience market and consumer feedback shows a marked taste benefit too.”
Harvey said 2010 had been a “year of change” in the banana market with the supermarkets’ direct sourcing plans a factor, the final format of which is still unclear.
He added: “We will see more clearly what the impact may be this year. The continued price wars have not been healthy for the supply chain and eventually squeeze margins which could result in compromises on grading and presentation. We’ve noticed a recent dip in consumer presentation; however it is not clear if this is related to recent market changes or price pressures.”
The company praised its Del Monte Naked Fruit prepared fruit range, stating sales in Tesco in particular had gone “extremely well”. The latest addition to the range is the Del Monte Naked Mango.
