Helping Keep Produce Fresh for Longer

LATEST AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NEWS

Trials of a new export packaging technology developed by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have shown it can maintain field freshness of selected fruit and vegetables during extended periods of storage and shipping. Moisture loss during storage and long distance shipping reduces produce quality and saleable weight and leads to discarded produce. CSIRO's Moisture Control Technology (MCT) can greatly reduce these problems by managing the water vapour content around the produce.

The MCT liner is a simple bag that fits inside a normal carton or box. By keeping humidity high, MCT liners can reduce moisture loss significantly during long sea voyages. The unique design of the MCT liners also prevents any condensed moisture, which may have formed inside the bag as a result of temperature fluctuations during transport, from finding its way onto the produce. Eliminating free moisture on the surface of fruits and vegetables reduces the potential for produce breakdown due to pathogens. In a recent export trial of oranges to the USA, not only did the MCT liner reduce moisture loss, it significantly reduced the incidence of defects such as chilling injury and rind breakdown, which in some years can be a serious concern for the industry.

The CSIRO says that the technology can be incorporated into current export systems and has excellent potential for improving returns for exporters of fruit, vegetables and possibly even cut flowers. MCT could also be combined with other new technologies to extend shelf life, with the possibility of opening up new overseas markets that are currently too far away to be practical for surface transport.

CSIRO is now discussing the potential for larger scale export trials of the technology with major exporters of fresh horticultural produce.

For information on this article, or on any other aspect of the Australian economy or business opportunities available, please email me.

David
editor@agarcarlyon.com