Mission Produce Inc., an Oxnard, Calif.-based company that sources, produces and distributes fresh hass avocados, is set to showcase its advanced ripe-room technology, “Mission Control,” at Fruit Logistica, Feb. 7-9, in Berlin, according to a news release.
The company says Mission Control uses next-level precision for atmosphere-controlled ripening to achieve as much as a 38% improvement in quality consistency, compared to the industry standard ripening system.
“We’re introducing the market to a new standard of quality and reliability that we believe will drive demand for avocados in the U.K.,” Paul Frowde, managing director for Mission Produce U.K. and Europe, said in the release. “With Mission Control, and as ‘masters in the art of ripening,’ I believe we’re the only supplier with this level of control over the ripening environment. Atmosphere control isn’t new to the industry, but this level of precision is.”
Mission Control was manufactured in partnership with Cross Refrigeration, a global company in advanced temperature controls, and has been tested on both the lab and commercial production levels in partnership with Jem Burdon, a postharvest specialist and industry expert in fruit ripening from The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, according to the release.
“Developing Mission Control in exclusivity has provided us with a database of fine-tuned controls to most effectively ripen fruit of any condition,” Adam Shaw, technical director for Mission Produce U.K., said in the release. “This step-change to the industry ripening standard indicates new possibilities for the adoption of ripe avocados at the consumer level. As we continue to improve product reliability and quality consistency, we believe we can strengthen consumer trust in our products.”
The recent commercial production trials comparing Mission Control to the standard ripening system evaluated the ripeness of hass avocados from various countries of origin at varying levels of dry matter and fruit maturity, the release said.
Mission Control demonstrated the strongest improvement when ripening fruit that is generally considered more difficult to ripen, such as early-season fruit or packs with fruit of varying conditions, the release said.
By testing the technology at scale, Mission Produce says it continues to fine-tune the process controls to create the optimal ripening environments for every season.
In response to the success Mission Produce U.K. achieved in its first year, the company says it’s doubling its ripening capacity at its forward distribution center in Dartford, U.K. Scheduled for completion in spring of 2024, the new ripening rooms are designed to feature Mission Control technology. In addition, Mission Produce plans to add mangoes to its product portfolio, which will also be ripened using Mission Control, the release said.
“It’s all about the consumer experience, and Mission Produce is driven by operational excellence to capitalize on the great market potential for avocados,” Frowde said. “Getting the ripeness right and delivering exceptional quality is how we plan to move the market for avocados, and soon, mangoes, in the U.K.”
Mission Produce is set to exhibit at Fruit Logistica in Hall 25, stand B-31.
