US avocado importer and distributor WP Produce claims to have significantly extended the shelf life of its Desbry avocados with new packaging technology.
“Tropical avocados typically have a shelf life of five to six days,” said Christopher Gonzalez, vice president of sales at the Miami-based company.
“With our new ventilated box designs and ethylene reduction technology, we’re looking at potentially doubling the shelf life by adding up to an additional four to five days of freshness.”
Tropical avocados—also known as green skin avocados—are seeing a rise in demand due to the overall popularity of avocados worldwide.
“Consumers and the foodservice industry have been intrigued by the unique and delicious flavour profile and firmer texture that tropical avocados provide,” said Desiree Morales, vice president of WP Produce.
“However, the shorter shelf life of these varieties can present a challenge for retailers and foodservice professionals. By taking steps to improve the shelf life of our products, we saw an opportunity to increase supply chain efficiencies, reduce waste at retail and improve user experience for both consumers and chefs alike.”
To combat the shorter shelf life of tropical avocados, WP Produce has started using ethylene-filtering technology to reduce the amount of ethylene surrounding the fruit, thus slowing down the ripening process.
The company has also introduced a new shipping carton that enhances air circulation and improves ventilation, further lengthening the shelf life of its products.
WP Produce has been a pioneer in the green skin avocado market since 1992 and are now the largest importer and distributor of Dominican green skin avocados worldwide. With farms and partnerships with growers in Florida and the Dominican Republic, WP Produce offers a wide variety of tropical produce and root vegetables under the Desbry brand.
