Logistics service provider LBP Rotterdam is building additional cells for the ripening of exotics. In doing so, the company responds to a growing trend. More and more logistical companies are acknowledging consumer preference for 'ready to eat' produce, and are making steps to join this development. “Things aren’t great in the transport industry right now,” says Hans Janssen, company spokesman, “so it’s vital to keep up with current developments. With expanding cooling and ripening potential, logistics providers are able to widen their capacity for clients.”
The same sentiment is expressed by Cool Control, who also enlarged its storage and ripening capability. “Wholesalers increasingly offer avocados and mangoes as ready-to-eat items, which of course means ripe,” says Robert Mulder. “The consumer doesn’t want to wait a week before taking a bite. Many companies are now catering to this trend, both importers and logistic companies. But it’s not something everyone can do. You need professional expertise. We have employed specialists who are at our disposal 7 days a week.”
Logistics service provider ADB Cool Company in 's Gravezande matures Chilean kiwifruit and operates one of the largest ripening facilities of exotic species in the Netherlands. The company has eight cells, allowing for 320 pallets simultaneously. "The demand for ready to eat products really took everyone by surprise," explains Alex de Bruijn, CEO of the company. “But then again, it’s not out of the ordinary for a company to go along with shifting markets. An increasing number of services is always recommended, not only in the field of ripening, but also in, for example, packaging."
