British company Blue Skies has developed a supply chain model that delivers fresh-cut, ripe fruit to Dutch supermarkets within 48 hours of harvest. The approach addresses common challenges in fruit importation, including quality loss from harvesting unripe produce and inefficiencies in transporting non-edible parts like peels and foliage.
Founded 28 years ago by Anthony Pile, the company opted to process fruit in the countries where it is grown. Fruit is harvested at full ripeness, then cut and packed locally before being flown to Europe under refrigerated conditions. This model ensures that only the edible portions are transported, with the remaining organic waste repurposed as compost at the source.
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Local production, local benefit
Blue Skies works directly with farmers in countries such as Ghana, where the fruit is processed before export. By keeping value-added activities within the country of origin, the model is intended to support local employment and economic development. In areas like the Ghanaian village of Nsawam, where many employees live, this has reportedly contributed to improvements in infrastructure, education, and household income.
Transport and handling
The company transports products using the cargo space in commercial passenger flights, avoiding dedicated cargo planes. Once at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, the fruit is immediately transferred to refrigerated storage facilities for palletisation and distribution. This rapid transit, from harvest to retail in approximately 48 hours, is considered essential to maintaining product quality.
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Supply chain collaboration
Blue Skies partners with logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel to manage the transportation and handling of its goods. This collaboration includes dedicated cold-chain handling and support with regulatory compliance at the airport.
Sustainability measures
Efforts are underway to reduce the environmental footprint of the supply chain. These include minimizing packaging materials, optimizing transport loads, and exploring ways to improve transparency and efficiency throughout the supply process.
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Blue Skies and its logistics partners continue to evaluate methods to enhance sustainability while maintaining the quality and freshness of their fruit products in European retail markets.
For more information:
Jean-Baptiste Ewald
Kuehne+Nagel
Tel: +33 679 48 57 26
Email: [email protected]
www.newsroom.kuehne-nagel.com
