The decision to reduce the losses in the export of berries blueberry

In recent years, increasing exports of Peruvian and Chilean blueberries. Sensitivity, "vulnerability", and high capacity for oxidation of these berries hinder the logistics process. Since in most cases there is a long transport, the requirements for preserving berries increase. Come to the aid of the research in the field of new technologies and processes.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the components which has long been used in the process of exporting table grapes. Its main feature is to slow down the development of Botrytis (gray rot). And, in turn, seeks to adjust the level of the rest of sulfites in the fruit. This component for four years will be endorsed by the European Union and will open wide opportunities for export of fruit and berries.

According to Juan Carlos Lavanderos (Juan Carlos Lavanderos), technical Manager of the company SurAgra Chile, because of rising exports to China and Europe, the storage period from collection to consumption significantly lengthened, up to at least 60 days. In order to effectively save the berries for so long, the SO2 levels should be low and controlled.

On this basis, SurAgra has developed a product that meets the specific needs of the blueberry, called Berries Quality. As I commented on Lavanderos, Normal cooling not enough, the berries soften and rot. Given the special requirements of blueberries, we have created small pads that are placed in a box along with a plastic micro-perforated package that allows you to deliver berries to its destination in one piece". At that time, as for two years that this product was on the market, he managed to win 20% of the Chilean market, for 70% of exports of Chilean blueberry target market is the USA, which still has not approved the use of this component upon contact with food products. The representative of the developer of this product concludes that the market potential is very large, but it is still a new technology in the process of adaptation. And when you consider that of the 30 million boxes of blueberry in year 20 are in the United States, the approval Agency FDA (Federal Executive Department of the United States for quality control of food products and some other categories of goods) is crucial for increasing market share.

Anna Ustymenko,

a member of the club Sirius Agro Plant.