Posts Tagged “AgroFresh”
From now into 2019 low retail price inflation is anticipated for fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a USDA report. Also, FreshCloud has been introduced by AgroFresh.
In the recently released Food Price report, the department notes fresh vegetable prices fell 0.2 percent from May to June, and now are 0.8 percent less than in June 2017. The USDA reports retail fresh vegetable prices are expected to remain steady with last year, changing between -0.5 to 0.5 percent in 2018 and then increasing 1.5 to 2.5 percent in 2019.
Prices for fresh fruits fell 1.2 percent from May to June but are up 1.9 percent compared with June 2017. The report said that despite citrus prices rising 2.3 percent, prices for apples and bananas fell 0.4 percent, and prices for all other fruits fell 4 percent from May to June.
The USDA forecasts fresh fruit prices to increase 1.5 to 2.5 percent in 2018 and rise 2 to 3 percent in 2019.
The report observes farm level fruit prices are forecast to drop between 2.5 to 3.5 percent and drop another 3 to 4 percent in 2019. Farm-level vegetable prices are forecast to drop between 6 and 7 percent this year and decline an additional 2.5 to 3.5 percent in 2019.
AgroFresh Launches FreshCloud
AgroFresh Solutions Inc. of Philadelphia has launched a new tool to predict the freshness of produce.
Known as the FreshCloud platform, the tool uses data to monitor produce quality through the supply chain, according to a news release.
The release notes the new technology will allow users to predict produce freshness, quality and optimal consumption timing.
AgroFresh recently acquired Verigo, whose technology will help AgroFresh improve fruit quality, leading to less food waste.
“As the world becomes increasingly data-driven, our commitment to high-quality fresh produce requires not only the best chemistry and expertise, but also the best information technology to ensure freshness across the supply chain and increased logistical efficiency to minimize waste,” AgroFresh CEO Jordi Ferre said in the release.
Verigo’s technology forms the foundation of FreshCloud Transit Insights. The acquisition also revamped AgroFresh’s AdvanStore offering, now called FreshCloud Storage Insights.
FreshCloud Predictive Screening, part of the FreshCloud platform, will predict the risk of disorder development during storage by analyzing gene expression at commercial harvest.
by AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
PHILADELPHIA — An innovation from AgroFresh is bringing new life to bananas — with RipeLock – a technology proven to help consistently keep high-quality bananas at the optimal color on display at retail. While it’s important for retailers to stay up on consumer demands for new fruit varieties and packaging options, the quality of flagship items, such as bananas, remain a key indicator for overall consumer perception of the produce department.
Retailers recognize that a limiting factor in sales and consumption is that bananas ripen too quickly. With the new RipeLock™ Quality System from AgroFresh, suppliers, ripeners and retailers now have the tools to deliver bananas with greater consumer appeal and a broader window of freshness. At the same time, shrink and markdowns can be reduced, facilitating sales and inventory management.
“A trend we’re watching is how consumers are looking for healthy snacks and innovative packaging options,” said Kevin Frye, RipeLock North American sales manager for AgroFresh. “These are also the qualities that make RipeLock bananas the perfect option for both on-the-go snacking and increased at-home consumption.”
“RipeLock enhances the banana’s natural ripening process to maintain their bright, yellow color, fresh taste, creamy texture and appealing look significantly longer than traditionally ripened bananas,” Frye said.
RipeLock helps increase the demand for quality produce.
A recent study by MMR Research Worldwide in United Kingdom reveals how RipeLock positively affects banana taste and appearance. In the study, seven out of ten consumers preferred the quality of RipeLock bananas.
“When retailers can stock more appealing, longer-lasting bananas, it not only translates into more banana sales, it’s been proven to drive overall produce sales,” Frye said. “This is because consumers feel confident in the quality and freshness of the other fruit in the store.”
Craig Stephen, a leader in the banana industry for more than 20 years and past Produce Marketing Association Board member, agrees.
“Produce managers that can consistently offer bananas at color stage 5 generate higher consumption and more repeat customers. Until now, that was not possible due to the risk of high shrink.”
RipeLock helps reduce food waste.
The MMR Research Worldwide study also demonstrates the ability of RipeLock to reduce waste by maintaining fruit longer at the optimal color and flavor — both in the store and in the home.
“In talking with banana consumers all over the world, they’ve expressed for years that the biggest unmet need is longer shelf-life, that bananas ripen too quickly, leading to under consumption,” Stephen said.
RipeLock adds flexibility to the supply chain
The longer shelf-life also gives retailers the ability to have consistent, high-quality fruit on display longer with less frequent restocking and without extra deliveries. And in most back-room environments, RipeLock reduces the need to ‘air stack’ boxes.
“Many non-traditional outlets, like coffee shops and convenience stores, are not offering fresh fruit, resulting in a big missed opportunity for sales. Longer-lasting RipeLock bananas can make servicing these non-traditional outlets simpler and more economical, and can lead to increased sales and consumption,” Frye said.
A recent independent study with consumers in the United Kingdom reveals how RipeLock positively affects banana taste and appearance — both key factors in buying decisions.