Rijk Zwaan will be demonstrating Knox at this year's Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the new trait that reduces pinking in lettuce leaves after cutting.
“We first revealed Knox at our Leafy Event in September but it's now time for us to present this innovation to a wider audience,' said Bauke van Lenteren, head of convenience at Rijk Zwaan. '2016 is going to be a key year of testing and trials for the Knox varieties. It extends the shelf life of a bag of pre-packed lettuce by around two days, which opens up new opportunities for the whole chain.”
At the trade fair, Rijk Zwaan will be advising its partners on how to gain optimal benefit from the trait.
“For example, it enables retailers to improve their inventory situation,' van Lenteren continued. 'Processing companies no longer need to pack the lettuce in low-oxygen bags, plus they have more options to create blends of several different types. Ultimately the consumer benefits. By extending the shelf life, Knox can increase the purchase frequency of pre-packed lettuce and that will help us to boost worldwide lettuce consumption together.”
In addition to Knox, Rijk Zwaan will present various other innovations at Fruit Logistica, with a particular focus on the retail sector.
For example, the group will be displaying its wide range of tomatoes to attendees in Berlin, demonstrating that the company offers high-quality varieties for every segment – whether in terms of shape, size, flavour, colour, application or production location.