When it comes to increasing sustainability for the entire fresh produce supply chain while also maximizing profit potential, some of the most crucial factors are freshness, quality, shelf life and minimising food waste.

It is in these post-harvest areas that ag tech innovator AgroFresh has been a global leader, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions that help everyone from growers to importers to grocers.

Country manager Australia for AgroFresh Greg Montgomery said the agricultural value chain is well regulated and in line with export standards set out by other countries. 

“These standards present the challenge to the local ag sector to comply at every step of the value chain. The adherence to good agricultural practise is key to sustainability, however it does have its challenges in implementation.

“Investments into good practices for maintaining optimum storage performance, ensuring fit- for- purpose packaging and good, reliable transport is a costly affair and depending on the market volatility, can happen at immense cost to the growers.”

With sustainability in mind, the impact of numerous inputs is placing the focus on delivering products with a lower impact on the environment and a greater focus on food safety.

Using packing material with recycled content is emphasised with the drive towards sustainability.

Many retailers are already enforcing these regulations on growers, requesting crops which are grown with less inputs, and packaging that is either recyclable or already has some aspect (30 per cent) of recycled content in it.

Storage: Crops that are grown with less chemicals are more likely to be prone to infection by pathogens. This limits the overall storage potential of that crop.

Packaging: Packaging is important and there are more technical aspects to its purpose than just being a carrier with aesthetic appeal. First rate packaging allows the microclimate within the unit to be maintained at an optimal level to help ensure good fruit quality over a period of time. For this to happen, the type of packaging and importantly, the material that it is manufactured from, plays a vital role.

Transport: Most industries use sea freight as the standard mode of transport. Bigger volumes shipped means return on value at more affordable costs than if the produce was to be airfreighted. In terms of a greener future, transport by ship is said to be the greener alternative, emitting less carbon emissions. However, recent political activities and weather disasters have not favoured transport by ship. The longer journey times also mean that crop quality is compromised along the way, sometimes resulting in the loss of whole shipments.

Solutions: AgroFresh’s flagship product, SmartFresh TM Quality System, uses 1-MCP technology to manage post-harvest ethylene levels and slow down the ripening process, extending the shelf life to maintain the quality of fresh produce. This technology is especially important during storage and transport, where ethylene-rich environments can lead to premature ripening and spoilage. SmartFresh has been a game-changer in the industry, serving multiple crops and regions globally.

In 2023, AgroFresh celebrated the 20-year anniversary of SmartFresh.

This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

By extending the shelf life of produce and reducing food waste, SmartFresh has made a significant impact on the global produce industry.

“AgroFresh is committed to supporting growers in navigating the complex landscape of storage, packaging, and transport.

“Our science-based solutions, data-driven technologies, and customer-focused services help ensure that fresh produce maintains its quality from farm to table.

“By investing in innovative solutions and promoting sustainable practices, AgroFresh, now with the additional power of Pace and Tessara, aims to build a more resilient and prosperous future for the Australian agricultural sector.”