Blythe, Calif.-based Fisher Ranch has expanded melon exports by extending the commodity’s storage window with the use of SmartFresh.
Philadelphia-based AgroFresh Solutions Inc. partnered with Fisher Ranch to provide SmartFresh SmartTabs on cantaloupes and Golden Dewlicious honeydew melons, according to a news release. AgroFresh’s post-harvest solution enables the melons to ripen on the vine, allowing the fruit to retain firmness and sugar content despite longer transit time.
SmartFresh SmartTabs have been proven to help control skin disorders on melons for 26 days in cold storage, according to the release.
“After the successful completion of our commercial trials last year, SmartFresh enabled us to deliver great-tasting, aromatic, high quality melons to global markets, which was a new achievement for us,” Mike Farrage, sales manager at Fisher Ranch, said in the release. “With this success in mind, we’ve increased our export volume this year and we’ll now apply SmartFresh to our entire shipment of export melons.”
SmartFresh technology uses 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to control the ripening process to improve freshness. SmartTabs are designed for use in transport containers or small storage rooms, according to the release.
“We’re excited to help our customers optimize the quality of their fresh produce and grow their business, at potentially higher margins, in distant markets that they otherwise could not access,” AgroFresh commercial development manager Fernando Edagi said in the release. “We’re thrilled to help growers such as Fisher Ranch deliver melons that provide a great eating experience with consistently high quality, flavor, sweetness and firmness.”
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