Companies say they will co-commercialise a new patented technology to extend shelf-life and bring fresher berries to The Fruitist brand
Berry grower-supplier Agrovision has announced that it has signed an agreement with US-based RipeLocker.
The Seattle-headquarted group is offering the postharvest industry a new disruptive technology designed to extend the life of high-value crops and perishables.
Agrovision is the first global berry producer to employ the new technology, which it stated offered ”the first cost-effective, mass volume, postharvest storage solution tailor-made for berries”.
RipeLocker’s patented dynamic, low-atmosphere vacuum chambers put fruit to ’sleep’, delaying ageing and decay, and maintaining optimal freshness for up to 12 weeks without loss of quality, it said.
The company is also working with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to optimise storage and disinfestation of perishables.
”RipeLocker’s technology advances Agrovision’s promise of a premium, higher quality superfruit supply, 52 weeks a year,” the group outlined.
”At the retail level, consumers across the globe can expect a ’better berry’, with more aroma, crunch, flavour and higher nutritional value, indistinguishable from fresh-picked, while reducing shrink.
Agrovision will incorporate the technology into its global market offerings including its consumer-facing brand, The Fruitist.
“Agrovision is fully committed to reliably advancing the highest quality superfruits to consumers for healthier snacking 365 days a year, and we believe this partnership with RipeLocker will be a needle mover,” said Agrovision co-founder, CEO and executive chairman Steve Magami.
“The implications of this advancement are far-reaching: we can ensure prolonged freshness, access more distant markets, and introduce high-flavour varietals previously limited by shorter shelf lives. This partnership is just one of the many that we have lined up to commercialise game changing technologies.”
RipeLocker CEO and co-founder George Lobisser expressed his excitement at the partnership.
“RipeLocker collaborates with forward-thinking operators to overcome barriers and drive positive change in the industry,” he said. ”We are thrilled to provide Agrovision with a technology to enable differentiation of their The Fruitist brand with better tasting, more nutritious, and longer shelf-life fruit to the consumer.
“This partnership perfectly aligns with our long-term vision to deploy groundbreaking technology with a vertically integrated organisation that strives to integrate an innovative, game-changing technology into their operations and offer consumers superior quality fruit.”
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