Spanish cooperative invests in new storing system for apples

Cooperative, Finca Señorío de Rioja, has chosen the application of the modern DCS Automatic storing system for apples in ten cooling cells for its new building. DCS Automatic ensures apples can be stored at extremely low oxygen levels in the range of 0.2-0.6% oxygen. Storing with these low oxygen levels ensures the prevention of apple scald. Scald is a major problem for the storing of apples in southern European countries due to climatic reasons. Because of the recent ban on the application of DPA, there is a risk of quality problems.

DCS Automatic ensures the correct quality after storing and sharply improves shelf life. This storing method makes ripening stoppers such as Smartfresh superfluous for certain apple strains. Storing at the lowest oxygen level without ripening stopper guarantees a natural ripening and the best flavour. Every day, DCS Automatic measures the produced quantity of ethanol in a representative sample of apples in a measuring box in a cooling cell. If a clear increase of ethanol is measured, the oxygen level will be raised. If no ethanol is measured, the oxygen level used for storing can be adjusted downwards. The best quality after storing is achieved by storing at the lowest possible oxygen level. DCS Automatic makes this possible in a clear, reliable and verifiable manner. This was the reason for Raúl Sanz, chairman of cooperative Finca Señorío de Rioja, to choose DCS Automatic from Gravendeel, the Netherlands. The cooperative is carrying out an investment programme for the construction of 20 cooling cells. The cooperative has, after extensive research, chosen to invest in CA technology from Storex combined with DCS Automatic.

This project means an important breakthrough for the application of DCS Automatic in Spain, where there is much interest in similar systems. DCS Automatic has been developed by Storex in cooperation with EMS and the FBR Wageningen (WUR). The cooperative by now has started constructing the project so that it could possibly even profit from the DCS Automatic for their fruit this storing season.

Finca Señorío de Rioja is a well-known cooperative near Zaragoza in eastern Spain. The cooperative is located in Rioja Baja in the Tierra de Agreda district, and because of the altitude near the mountains the local climate has clear differences in night and day temperatures during all of the growing seasons. These factors ensure strong fruit stocks and unique colouring, aroma and flavour. In this area, Fuji, Golden Delicious and Gala are important varieties. These varieties are also cultivated and offered organically under the Raulito brand.