Philadelphia-based AgroFresh Solutions’ FreshCloud Predictive Screening system is designed to predict the risk of disorder development in particular produce varieties.
That can give growers the ability to make more informed storage decisions, according to a news release.
The product is one of the first three core offerings of AgroFresh’s recently launched predictive technology platform.
“The greatest value that FreshCloud Predictive Screening provides to growers is the increased confidence and peace of mind that come from a better understanding of the likelihood of disorder development,” Nigel Gapper, genomics research and development manager at AgroFresh, said in the release.
“Growers understand the intricacies and uncertainties of their business better than anyone. With predictive data on the health of their apples, they are empowered to make smarter decisions about their treatment and storage solutions,” Gapper said in the release.
Using the science of plant genomics, Predictive Screening determines whether a particular harvest is low risk, moderate risk or high risk for the development of a specific disorder, according to the release.
The screening process allows growers and packers to reduce losses in high-risk fruits through strategic treatment, close monitoring or implementing shorter storage windows. The release said the screening also provides added awareness and confidence that low-risk fruit will meet high-quality delivery standards set by buyers.
The first FreshCloud Predictive Screening sales started this summer, according to the release.
One thousand sampling kits were distributed to help growers determine the risk of soft scald development on their Honeycrisp apples, according to the release.
“Predictive Screening, and the entire FreshCloud platform, is rooted in our scientific expertise and our understanding of the needs of growers, packers and retailers,” AgroFresh CEO Jordi Ferre, said in the release. “With better data about the risk of disorder development, growers and packers can optimize the way they store their harvests, maximize crop value and reduce food waste.”
AgroFresh plans to share more information about the other two core offerings of the FreshCloud platform, Storage Insights and Transit Insights, in coming weeks.
