Showcasing apples and cherries from the Pacific Northwest

CMI Orchards is thrilled to attend this year’s Organic Produce Show and showcase its lineup. In addition to a large selection of branded organics and core favorites, CMI will have its Relax! program and Daisy Girl Organics™ line on display. “Authenticity is at the core of everything we do. This is why…

“WeSpeakBananas comes from serving industry as producer and exporter for many years”

The importance of a proper sealant around the crown of bananas needs more attention, with tens of millions of boxes of this popular fruit exported around the world, says Luis Monge, Director of Transastra. S.A. based in Peru. They are a manufacturer and supplier of ParaSeal® the paraffin film that is…

Australian shoppers upset over individually-wrapped cucumbers at Woolworths

Editor James Massola from Nine Newspapers National Affairs drew attention to the sale of individually-wrapped cucumbers at Woolworths in a tweet on Saturday, commending the…

Foldable bins cause 75% reduction in return trips, cost savings and lower emissions for broccoli exports

Agromark, a Spanish export company specialising in fruits and vegetables, has enhanced its return on investment (ROI) and minimised its carbon footprint through the implementation of Tosca's innovative foldable bin solution. Tosca, who provide reusable packaging and performance pooling solutions for food…

National Agricultural Advisory Services say Uganda must properly brand its fruit exports

Uganda’s National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) has said it will engage stakeholders on proper branding of fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products. Ms…

ING.com

The sustainable food packaging choices that don’t come ready-wrapped

Food and drink producers are facing a sustainability dilemma. The need for eco-friendly packaging is growing, but it costs more and often isn't as versatile. Faced with anti-plastic regulation and carbon reduction targets, commitment and major investments are needed to increase renewable choices. It…

$1.85m raised to make paper packaging stronger and more recyclable

Brisbane-based company Earthodic has managed to create an innovative and trademarked bio-based coating solution 'Paperbarc', and recently attracted investments of $1.85…

Seven onion packers embrace TrueAI to transform the market

Together with customers, Ellips is looking for opportunities to improve their grading technology. This ongoing collaboration and our drive for innovation has helped to revolutionize the onion market by improving operational performance and enabling our customers to deliver the quality and consistency…

Pineapple stem starch film developed as biodegradable packaging material

A group of researchers from universities in Thailand and Malaysia have collaborated to develop a unique film that is good for the environment and can decompose naturally. This…

T&G commissions state-of-the-art automated apple packhouse

T&G Global has commissioned one of the largest apple packhouses in the Southern Hemisphere at its Whakatū site in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. The highly automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, will be able to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season once its two…

Bhutan’s mandarin orange and apple growers promised to have enough boxes this season

Mandarin orange and apple exporters can expect a better export season this year, as the packaging industry has agreed to supply the required packing boxes. According to the Association of Wood-based Industries (AWBI), 400,000 boxes from different saw millers are expected to meet the requirement of…

Apple growers demand implementation of universal cartons

The Himachal Pradesh Apple Producers Association has voiced strong opposition to the government’s-imposed condition of packing 24 kg of apples in a box. After pressure from…

New PLU number launched for Audra Rose cherry variety

River Valley Fruit, an apple, cherry and pear grower, packer and shipper is introducing the Audra Rose cherry bag, complemented by its newly assigned PLU number, 3550. "This development marks a significant milestone for the Audra Rose cherry, a unique and highly sought-after variety." Audra Rose cherries…

“This sorting line largely increased our sorting accuracy”

In April, Reemoon completed its largest Australian installation yet, delivering a new six-lane sizer to Mario's Packhouse in Griffith, New South Wales (Australia). The company's Vice-Director, Dennis Clock, reviews this project. Mario's Packhouse is one of the region's leading citrus packing operations. The…

"We want to bring our cost savings, service, and technology to the produce industry"

Tychon Packaging announced their entrance into the produce packaging market with TychonVert. TychonVert is a ‘Go-Green’ packaging supplier offering fully recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging options. Tychon Vert will be supplying flexible packaging (pre-printed pouches), clamshells,…

A sustainable packaging choice for the stone fruit season

The stone fruit season has reopened, but choosing the ideal packaging can be a bit tricky, especially if you want to keep up with the times and prioritize the use of a more sustainable and recyclable packaging. Antonio Castelluccio of Pack System, a company from southern Italy specialized in the manufacture…

"Research and development are our pièce de résistance"

Ever since 1987, GNA's priority has been the creation of processing and packaging systems guaranteeing high technology, quality, hygiene, and safety levels. The company, located in the heart of the packaging valley in Emilia, near Bologna, and specializing in the design, manufacturing, and sale of packaging…

"We are in the mood to expand our markets"

2022 has been one of the best years in Oboya's history, and they are determined to continue to grow. Recently, they made a large investment to expand their assortment, and by the end of the year, they will have a local production site in Colombia, enabling them to better serve the North and South…

Sustainable seal for packaging companies presented

The Spanish federation of wooden lightweight packaging (FEDEMCO) participated at the tomato industry event held in Rotterdam on Tuesday, May 16. Salvador Martínez, the federation's secretary, presented to over 300 industry professionals the reasons why wooden packaging, also for the tomato category, is a…

Montosa presents the new design of its tropical fruit processing brand

Montosa, the Spanish company that specializes in avocado and IV range products, is presenting the new design of its Native brand at PLMA's World of Private Label 2023 fair,…

Dharaksha

Start-up Dharaksha is converting crop waste into sustainable packaging

There has been a growing demand for alternative packaging solutions in India due to environmental sustainability concerns and the need to reduce plastic waste. This has led to several alternative packaging solutions to gain traction in the packaging industry. While biodegradable packaging materials are…

"We will be showcasing our Product Inspection Systems for supermarket compliance"

A&D Weighing scales and balances have been designed to provide accurate readings in diverse environments. These waterproof scales are specifically designed to give accurate measurements for the food processing industry and are not affected by produce spills or debris. A&D Weighing’s range of products include…

Paper-based packaging has a good eco-image

German consumers consider paper-based packaging to be particularly environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, they tend to be skeptical about innovative products such as…

Photo report: Interpack 2023

From May 4 to 10, visitors to Germany's Düsseldorf exhibition center could see the latest gadgets in packaging technology and machines. Numerous applications for fresh food to non-food were covered. Interpack is not known as a fruit and vegetable packaging platform, and this market segment again had a modest role in this edition. Robotization and…

Glue free paper packaging has made its way from Europe to North America

For three years, mustang paper trays have been used in Europe as packaging for fresh produce. Increasingly, the paper trays are making their way into North America, with Ontario-based Omnia Packaging being the exclusive producer and provider of mustang paper trays in Canada. The company also serves…

Peruvian company develops sustainable packaging for fruit exports

Peruvian company Gráfica Real is developing sustainable packaging resistant for export fruits that comply with quality standards, current regulations and extend the useful…

UK’s new Brexit plan: Vegetables will sport ‘Not for EU’ stickers

The European Commission and the UK government has agreed on requirements for the labelling on agri-food retail goods. A label will be placed at different levels starting from…

"It neither reduces food waste nor increases the shelf life of the products"

The German Fruit Trade Association (DFHV) has sharply criticized the EU's planned ban on fruit and vegetable packaging. "Such a ban is counterproductive, as it neither reduces…

Save Foods commences first large scale commercial pilot with Mexican strawberry packer

Save Foods, Inc., an agri-food tech company specializing in eco-crop protection that helps to reduce food waste and ensure food safety while reducing the use of pesticides,…

New PLU sticker introduced for Mexican avocados

West Pak Avocado is proud to announce a new price look-up (PLU) sticker as part of an industry initiative through Avocados From Mexico (AFM). The program was created by AFM to help shoppers more easily identify quality Mexican avocados. West Pak’s new PLU sticker features the company’s branding along…

New PLU sticker brings Avocados from Mexico glow to US customers

West Pak Avocado, a global distributor of avocados brings a new price look-up (PLU) sticker as part of an industry initiative through Avocados From Mexico (AFM). The program was created by AFM to help shoppers more easily identify quality Mexican avocados. West Pak’s new PLU sticker features the…

TIPA Compostable Packaging acquires Bio4pack

TIPA Compostable Packaging has announced it has acquired Bio4Pack, a European company in compostable packaging solutions. Bio4Pack has joined TIPA leadership to create a comprehensive compostable packaging portfolio, meeting the ever-growing interest for truly circular packaging solutions on the market.…

"Labeling protocol and branding leads to growing demand for banding is growing in the fruit and vegetable sector"

Banding is becoming an increasingly attractive option for fruit and vegetable packaging. At a time when sustainability and minimizing waste are all important, with legislation and branding being vital too, banding could be the solution, says Bandall. "In recent years, this type of sustainable packaging…

VSP

Packaging trays of Swiss organic mushrooms continuously replaced with 100 percent grass-paper trays

As part of its value-added strategy, the Swiss Mushroom Producers Association (VSP) developed the grass-paper tray in cooperation with Coop. From now on, the packaging trays of Swiss organic brown mushrooms 225g as well as Swiss organic white mushrooms 225g, will be continuously replaced by 100 percent…

A still undefined moment of transition for primary packaging

"We are convinced that, if Europe is drafting a regulation imposing a guideline on packaging materials for fresh produce, the situation must be dire! Objectives to pursue must be capable of halting pollution due to microplastics. But the banning of all packaging containing goods weighing less than 1.5 kg…

DiMuto closes deal with Montana Fruits to finance the company’s trade and exports to the European market

DiMuto, a global Agri-FinTech company, strengthens its presence in Latin America with the latest financing of Colombian fresh produce exporter Montana Fruits. The deal will first see DiMuto leverage its AI-powered financing solution to finance Montana Fruits’ exports to Europe, before expanding to its…

Social impact labels help connect consumers to farm workers

As consumers are becoming more and more interested in not only where their food comes from but who the people are behind their food procurement, one company is helping propel the stories of farm workers in produce. Thx! is a social impact program helping farm workers achieve their dreams. It began five…

Citrus shipper adds limes to portfolio

Limoneira is launching its new “Catch the Citrus Wave!™” campaign which features a playful packaging design capturing the essence of a day at the beach, with colorful citrus characters. This year the company has added limes to the campaign and consumers can now enjoy the spirit of summer with lemon,…

“The use of CA and post-harvest solutions is becoming a need and a must”

Reducing waste by extending the fruit life through a focus on improving shipping conditions is one of the main motivations for the controlled atmosphere experts Liventus Global, based in Santiago, Chile. According to Germán Sims, Global Commercial Manager of Liventus, “The products most requested by…

Hartmann expects to generate revenue of DKK 3.4-3.8 billion in 2023

Brødrene Hartmann A/S, a prominent manufacturer of fruit packaging in South America and India, has announced its preliminary Q1 2023 financial figures and updates guidance for…

Name change for Dutch labelling partner

Telrol, a manufacturer of self-adhesive labels, today announced that it will continue under the new name: Opti-Label from 1 May 2023. This name change is the result of their new approach to offer the best price through improved organisation and processes. For this reason, a fresh start is being made…

Termotécnica supports Customized Packaging Program to reduce food losses along value chain

To reduce produce losses during transport between producers and points of sale, the Brazilian Packaging Association (ABRE) launched the Customized Packaging Program.…

The European packaging regulation proposal would be a disaster for the fruit and vegetable sector

There is a huge debate going on right now with regard to packaging, both about the materials used and about disposal and/or recycling. We talked about it with Mauro Salini, president of the Italian association ProFood, which unites 14 manufacturers of plastic packaging (including for the AGF sector). The…

IFPA submits comments on packaging to European Commission

International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) submitted public comments on the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste.   “We are…

Sustainable packaging solution part of Canadian retail trial

CKF Inc., designer and North America manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, is partnering with Belmark inc., to support a Canadian retail trial with blueberries supplied by The Fruitist, a joint venture between Agrovision Corp. and Berries Paradise. Blueberry punnetThe new Earthcycle branded EC…

Liquidseal invites South African citrus exporters to join a subsidised commercial trial

After several years of using Liquidseal on South African citrus, both organic and conventional, with the support of Citrus Research International, the Dutch company is at the point of scaling up the presence of its product in the country.Liquidseal, represented by Gerber Fresh in South Africa, therefore…

Appalachian greenhouse grower packages green

The Appalachian area of western Virginia is not typically where you'd expect to find a 2.5-acre high-tech greenhouse commercially growing strawberries. Even more surprising is that this farmer on the edge of flyover country refused to package his berries in traditional plastic "clamshells." Instead, he's…

First closed loop recycling solution for FIBCs

Packaging manufacturer and distributor LC Packaging and plastic recycler Healix have developed a high-quality closed loop recycling solution for FIBCs. A first in the industry. The closed loop includes the collection of used FIBCs (big bags) at LC Packaging customers’ locations that are being processed…

Watermelon pouch expands into Canada

In the high-volume category of fresh watermelon, Maglio's award-winning readyripe® watermelon pouch is now available to grocery retailers. Sam Maglio, president and CEO of Maglio Companies launched this gusseted pouch concept for fresh quartered watermelon in 2015. “The development of the patented pouch…

"Plant-based, tamper evident packaging is the freshest thing yet"

"As a grower looking for a packaging assortment that will keep their greens safe, fresh, protected, and away from chemicals of concern, we've got the plant-based solution for them," says Paul Antoniadis, CEO of good natured®, a North American supplier of plant-based products, developing environmentally…

ProducePack™ Punnet range further enhanced with innovative barrier technology

The fiber-based ProducePack™ Punnet tray is an alternative to traditional plastic punnets for produce applications such as mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, grapes, and berries. It…

Nordvac GmbH / Küsten Bete GmbH

"Efficient packaging capacity with up to 13 cycles allows high demand to be met economically"

Küsten Bete Ltd in Elpersbüttel has been preparing beets for domestic food retailers for several months. At a site in the heart of the Dithmarschen vegetable-growing region, the regional vegetables are washed, sorted, peeled, weighed and labeled with MHD labels. The beet is then cooked in the packaging…

"Environmental protection and standardization are the development trend of China packaging industry"

With the consumption upgrade of China's fruit and vegetable market in recent years, and consumers paying more attention to the concepts of green issues and health after the pandemic, the market demand for fresh fruit and vegetable packaging has increased again. It has become an important development…

The new Australian fresh produce pallet wrapping system resulting in less plastic into the environment

A leading Australian sustainable packaging solutions company, Propak Industries, has made an improvement to its Macro Wrap product to be able to tightly secure a pallet of fresh produce with as little as 82 grams of plastic. "We do load stability tests, so that's our way of proving it," Account Manager…

Mastronardi Produce responds to lawsuit from NatureSweet

NatureSweet® has filed a third lawsuit against Mastronardi Produce LTD and Mastronardi Produce-USA, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Mastronardi is mimicking NatureSweet's licensed packaging. The company is defending the intellectual property of CHERUBS® and specifically refers to Mastronardi's Angel Sweet®…

"We can now pack for third parties too"

Fruitway was founded in June 2019. It started as a packaging company for FruitSolute (formerly Bratzler & Co) in the Netherlands. By now, 88 people work in the Frutiway warehouse, and the company is considering the possibility of also packaging for third parties. "In those first years, we expanded…

EPS packaging ensures fresh arrival of grapes

Maintaining the quality of fresh products from farm to table has always been a challenge in the logistics environment. The characteristics of increased shelf-life and…

Solidus enters new growth phase with new name

Solidus Solutions, a supplier of solid board packaging, is now called Solidus. The new brand identity coincides with a new growth phase for the company, which in March appointed a new CEO, Rienk Jan van der Kooi, and earlier this year announced an €11 million investment in a new line of packaging…

100% local and sustainable wooden trays

CF Embal has been packaging fruit and vegetables for three generations. In the 1980s, the family business specialized in the creation, manufacture, and marketing of wooden trays. "At the time, the trays were assembled manually. In the 1990s, we invested in a unique system that allowed us to produce…

Weight, not box size, should decide prices of Himachal fruits

Himachal government’s Agricultural Marketing Board issued a circular directing the sale of apples and similar fruits to be based on the weight of the produce at all markets.…

"Our prospective customers are particularly enthusiastic about the ease of use"

Manual price adjustments are often not sufficient to be able to map strongly fluctuating prices promptly and accurately in the trade. Since this year, K-D Hermann contact-Auszeichnungssysteme has been offering a corresponding digital solution for this purpose, for which there is already lively interest,…

Smart packaging for all kinds of needs

Israeli packaging and container producer Plasgad will attend Macfrut for the first time. FreshPlaza has talked about it with the marketing manager for Europe, Patricia Marquiegui. FreshPlaza (FP): What's the history of your company?Patricia Marquiegui (PM): Plasgad was set up in 1982. It has two…

Asparagus bundling machine: a simple, compact, modular and product-friendly innovation

Frédéric Jautrou is one of the 15 asparagus growers who came together to create the registered trademark “Asperges du Pays de Richelieu”, an initiative that has helped promote the spring vegetable in the region. “The brand has existed since 1998. The objective of this project is to have a common…

Pack'nlog GmbH

"In the fruit and vegetables category, we recorded an increase of 36 percent"

In collaboration with Linz-based industry supplier Pack'nlog GmbH, Spar Austria as well as Spar Poland have implemented a number of mobile presentation islands (MPI) in recent months. Both opted for customized printing, reports Amra Avdic of Pack'nlog GmbH. The presentation islands were individually printed:…

Lidl shopper sees mysterious coded message on a blueberry

A Lidl shopper found a strange secret coded message on his breakfast fruit. The customer came across the code 'ABS' etched onto one of his blueberries. That is why he asked – on Reddit: "Found this code (ABS) on a blueberry from Lidl. What is it?" One person who believes they solved the mystery told the Redditor…

"With our plastic containers, we can flexibly respond to different requirements and requests"

Resource-saving and sustainable reusable packaging solutions are more in demand than ever. According to Michaël Cibois of Gamma Wopla/Smart Flow, many companies were accordingly looking for reusable and recyclable packaging solutions instead of single-use cartons. "With our plastic containers, we can…

"Europe penalizes the agri-food packaging sector and not those who really cause environmental disasters"

"The European Union, and therefore part of the public opinion in Europe, believes that plastic packaging is the basis of marine and land pollution. Nothing could be further from the truth! They should take a closer look at what comes out of a washing machine and make sure that filters against…