Ripening room technology advancing to allow more precision, consultant says

Advancements in banana ripening room control technology are creating more precise control over the ripening process, in addition to improved flexibility and lower costs, says produce industry consultant Gary Campisi.

Campisi is currently working with leading grocery retailers to help them develop and institutionalize their ripening program for bananas, avocados, pears and mangoes using TarpLess Ripening Rooms from Thermal Technologies.

“The level of control we have over the ripening process now could have only been dreamed of even just a few years ago,” Campisi said.

Studies continue to show that ripe bananas are the most important item in any produce department, Campisi said. “So from my vantage point, helping customers get a system and program in place that ensures they always have ripe bananas on display is synonymous with the long-term success of any retailer."

Consistency in banana supply is a challenging issue for buyers, he said.

“Weather-related issues combined with increased demand from other countries supplied by Central and South America have caused disruptions in supply as well as increased costs,” he said.

Still, bananas are a staple for consumers and are on most everyone’s shopping list, he said. 

“The market for bananas rarely wavers in good times or bad,” Campisi said. “If retailers can display consistent banana color [that is] translated to a Stage 4 to a Stage 6 [equals] 75% yellow to 100% yellow, as well as keeping banana prices as low as possible, then banana demand will remain constant and may even increase.”

For the near term, the cavendish banana variety will continue to dominate retail sales, he said. 

“I do a lot of work with [University of California, Davis,] and others, so I know new banana varieties continue to be researched to replace the ever-popular cavendish banana due to T4 disease issues, but until that issue gets critical, we’re going to continue to see the cavendish reign supreme,” Campisi said. “That said, there are other bananas that are gaining in popularity, such as baby bananas, mini bananas and others.”

Campisi said retailers can maximize sales by controlling costs and giving their customers what they want. That means keeping retail displays full with high-quality bananas that look good, are at the right price and are at the right color to maximize sales, he said.

“That’s why most leading retailers today are moving towards having their own ripening rooms,” he said. “It’s the only way to truly control banana costs, banana color and banana quality.”