Newly established East Malling Research (EMR) - set up last April following the split from Horticulture Research International - aims to become a "total fruit service", according to chief executive Colin Gutteridge.
He told soft-fruit growers and marketing organisations at their annual conference this week that EMR would move beyond its historical 90-year-old role as a centre of excellence to embrace the fields of packaging logistics and develop consumer interest in health and nutrition.
Additionally it is building its portfolio and seeking new applications for existing expertise in post-harvest requirements for tropical fruit and cut flowers.
A key aspect is to replace funding from Defra, which now provides £2.25 million annually, but will phase this investment down to zero over the next six years.
"It is wrong to say East Malling has been saved, rather it is a stay in circumstances," said Gutteridge.
EMR has already set up a near market residue analysis centre through its stake in QTS Analytical, which operates on the same site.
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