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Edible coating and labelling reduce plastic and extend shelf life by Multivac and FreshPlaza
Edible coating and labelling reduce plastic and extend shelf life
How can the shelf life of fruit and vegetables be extended while reducing plastic consumption? AgroSustain, an agritech company developing solutions for pre- and postharvest, and Multivac, a manufacturer of labelling systems, present a joint approach combining edible coatings with packaging technologies.
AgroSustain, based in Switzerland, has developed Afondo™, an edible coating designed to preserve the quality of fresh produce after harvest. Afondo is applied directly after harvest on existing packaging lines using standard spraying and buffing technologies. It adheres to the fruit’s natural wax layer and forms a thin, breathable barrier on the surface. This layer slows respiration and moisture loss while allowing natural processes such as ripening to continue.
Afondo is positioned as a replacement for conventional waxes and coatings and can extend shelf life in cold storage by up to three weeks and at retail by three to five days, depending on the crop. It is designed to preserve natural ripening without altering taste, appearance, or texture.
Multivac presents two packaging systems in which trays are closed and labelled simultaneously: Topclose™ and Topwrap™.
Topclose combines cardboard trays with a cellulose-based self-adhesive label that closes the tray along the rim, protecting the contents from removal or falling out. This system results in plastic-free packaging and is processed on the L 330 conveyor belt labeller with a capacity of up to 250 packs per minute. It is used for products such as blueberries, raspberries, and gooseberries.
Topwrap uses a label that wraps over the top and along two sides of the tray, enabling rimless trays to be closed. Cardboard or corrugated trays combined with a paper or cellulose label create plastic-free packaging. This process runs on the L 310 conveyor belt labeller with a capacity of up to 150 packs per minute and is suitable for products such as tomatoes, apples, potatoes, mushrooms, and strawberries.
The collaboration combines edible coating technology with packaging systems as a response to food waste and plastic reduction in fresh produce supply chains.
For more information:
Aileen Fleer
Multivac
Tel: +49 (0) 5224 931 1037
Email: aileen.fleer@multivac.de
www.multivac.com Publication date: Mon 2 Mar 2026
In 2025 Germany records a historic harvest of 45,700 tons of berries, up 23.5% from 2024. Blueberries and currants lead growth, with strong expansion in organic production by Italian Berry
Berry boom in Italy continues in 2025: spending +35% and volumes +41%, according to YouGov – Italian Berry
New premium blackberry label introduced by Hailey ClarkSun Belle LLC and FreshPlaza
New premium blackberry label introduced
Sun Belle has launched Craveabelles™, its new premium blackberry label.
With peak availability now through May, the Craveabelles blackberry program will debut with varieties from the company’s breeding program in Mexico, packed in 6 and 10oz clamshells. The company’s vertical integration under Frutura ensures consistent supply, strong quality control, and dependable deliveries.
Craveabelles have a sweet eating experience with higher-than-usual brix levels, glossy appearance, and 360- degree color. This premium crop reflects the company’s continued investment in varietal innovation with Black Venture Farms – another member of the Frutura family – leading varietal development, breeding, propagation and trialing.
“After extensive field trials, performance monitoring, and refinement, we’re confident that we can reliably deliver this program with exceptional flavor, bold color, firm texture and dependable shelf life,” said Sun Belle’s VP of business development, Ken Hopps. “From farm to shelf, we’ve implemented our tightest quality control practices at every step to ensure shoppers experience a truly premium, Craveabelle berry every time.”
The line was curated as a sub-brand of Sun Belle to reflect berries that are craveable by the consumer and by Sun Belle’s standards. The branding features an elevated and modern aesthetic designed to signal an indulgent berry experience to shoppers.
“This launch gives retailers a blackberry option that differentiates on the shelf,” said Hailey Clark, director of marketing at Sun Belle. “The Craveabelles brand communicates a premium eating experience through intentional design while nodding to Sun Belle’s name. It begins on the shelf with a deep purple and gold modern label that signals something elevated and indulgent. When the consumer opens the package, they’re met with a beautiful, uniform presentation of hand-selected berries and a back-label that reads, ‘Specially selected with the flavor you crave,’ building anticipation with purpose.”
The new label even offers long-time retail customers a sneak peek at the branding to come in 2026.
With increasing market traction and demand, the company plans to expand its premium berry offerings while strengthening partnerships with retailers seeking flavor, dependable supply, and compelling branding.
“Today’s consumers are actively seeking exceptional eating experiences. When you pair that with compelling branding that clearly signals premium quality, it doesn’t just drive trial — it builds repeat purchases,” said Sun Belle’s VP of sales, Taylor Hazelwood. “Our goal is to give retailers a differentiated premium program that keeps shoppers coming back for that experience again and again.”
The company will display its new premium blackberry line at SEPC Southern Exposure in Orlando at booth #711.
For more information:
Hailey Clark
Sun Belle LLC
hclark@sun-belle.com
https://www.sun-belle.com/
Do we really know what our berry plants need? by Italian Berry
Biochar gains ground in Spain as a regenerative soil amendment with agricultural and urban uses by Livingchar and FreshPlaza
Biochar gains ground in Spain as a regenerative soil amendment with agricultural and urban uses
The need to regenerate agricultural soils and reduce the carbon footprint of production systems is driving interest in solutions that not only nourish crops but structurally transform how soils function. In this context, biochar, a plant based charcoal obtained through pyrolysis, is beginning to find its place in Spain as a regenerative amendment, with applications ranging from professional agriculture to urban arboriculture.
At the cooperative Carbón Vivo, promoter of the LivingChar brand, the team works with biochar produced from pine wood and certified under the European Biochar Certificate, which guarantees both process sustainability and product safety. “Biochar is an organic carbon material whose purpose is to improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and act as a carbon sequestration tool,” explains Abel Zahínos, one of the project’s promoters.
More than carbon, soil infrastructure
“Our biochar contains more than 80 percent carbon and acts as a soil regenerator by restoring a key mineral, carbon, which many Spanish soils have lost due to intensive agronomic practices, high temperatures and reduced water availability. Unlike conventional fertilizers, biochar does not directly supply NPK,” he notes, “instead it improves soil structure, cation exchange capacity and the management of water and nutrients”.
“An ideal soil is made up of roughly 25 percent water, 25 percent air, and the remainder mineral fraction and organic matter. In degraded or compacted soils, those pores collapse and the capacity to store and properly manage the water and oxygen that plants need for their physiological functions is lost,” he explains. “That is why it is so important to provide soils with a structure that ensures proper circulation of water and gases, elements that are essential for crops to thrive and to be resilient to climate change”.
In this respect, biochar is particularly valuable because of its ability to increase plant available water in soils, the fraction of stored water that roots can extract and use for growth. “According to trials carried out with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, conventional compost provides around 7 percent plant available water, while biochar offers more than 50 percent. This allows for a significant improvement in soil water efficiency, a critical factor for Mediterranean crops”.
Less leaching, higher efficiency
Another key property of biochar is its high cation and anion exchange capacity. “In practical terms, it acts as a retention structure that binds nutrients and reduces losses through leaching. Nitrate losses can be reduced by up to 60 percent. This not only improves plant uptake, but also helps optimise fertiliser use and reduce the environmental impact linked to aquifer pollution”.
On this basis, LivingChar has developed solutions such as Compostchar, a regenerative fertiliser combining organic compost, biochar and rock minerals, and Arbochar, designed for woody crops and long term plantations. “The goal is to permanently improve soil conditions from the moment the crop is established”.
In addition, the biochar production process through pyrolysis allows the carbon previously captured by plants during photosynthesis to be stabilised. “Each tonne of our biochar sequesters up to 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Unlike natural biomass decomposition, which returns carbon to the atmosphere, biochar stabilises it in the soil for estimated periods ranging from 700 to 3,000 years”.
“In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognizes it as one of the currently available technologies with net carbon removal, adding a climate dimension to its agronomic application”.
From fields to cities
Beyond agriculture, biochar is also gaining prominence in urban gardening and arboriculture projects. “Cities such as Stockholm began incorporating biochar into their plantings after detecting mortality and disease rates of up to 80 percent in urban trees due to soil compaction. Since 2008, all new trees have been planted with biochar, achieving survival rates close to 100 percent,” Abel shares.
In Spain, LivingChar is working with municipalities such as Barcelona and Córdoba to improve urban soils. “The problem in cities is compaction. Soil loses its ability to properly manage the air and water that trees need, and roots cannot develop. A tree, and plants in general, can die both from lack of oxygen and from lack of water,” he points out.
An emerging market with room to grow
Although awareness of biochar has increased over the past five years, adoption in professional agriculture remains limited. “At LivingChar we recognise that there is still a strong need for outreach and for clear differentiation in quality, since raw material, production process and certification make a substantial difference to the final product”.
“At present, we are focusing on the Spanish market, with a grower focused model based on soil analysis and personalized technical advice. But we are convinced that wider use of biochar is only a matter of time”.
For more information:
Livingchar
C/ Margarit 37
08004 Barcelona
T. (+34) 670 585 159
hola@livingchar.com
https://www.livingchar.com
Frontpage photo: © Livingchar
New food safety laws for berry, leafy vegetables, and melon growersby Murray River Council and FreshPlaza
New food safety laws for berry, leafy vegetables, and melon growers
Anyone growing berries, leafy vegetables, or melons for sale in New South Wales, Australia, must meet on-farm requirements and provide their business details to the NSW Food Authority.
Small-scale growers selling directly to the public, including at markets, at the farm gate, or through home delivery, are also required to notify the Council of their business details.
The new requirements are outlined in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and address key food safety risks associated with berries, leafy vegetables, and melons. These include contamination from soil, water, fertilisers, animals, and worker hygiene.
To reduce administrative burden for smaller operations, businesses growing less than 2 hectares of berries, leafy vegetables, or melons are required only to notify the Food Authority and manage on-farm risks. Larger producers must obtain a Food Authority licence. Licence fees have been waived until 12 February 2027.
The Food Authority’s acting CEO, Andrew Davies, said the new laws aim to strengthen consumer confidence by ensuring all growers address key food safety risks and that produce remains traceable throughout the supply chain.
“Typically eaten raw, berries, leafy vegetables, and melons have been linked to multiple foodborne illness outbreaks in Australia and internationally,” he said.
“I encourage berry, leafy vegetable, and melon farmers in [council area] to find out more about the requirements on the Food Authority website and to get in touch with us early to ensure a smooth transition.”
For more information:
Murray River Council
Tel: +61 1300 087 004
Email: admin@murrayriver.nsw.gov.au
www.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au Publication date: Mon 16 Feb 2026
Strawberry pop-up highlights premium varieties at Lumine Agri Marche Tokyo by FreshPlaza
Strawberry pop-up highlights premium varieties at Lumine Agri Marche Tokyo
Fruit curation brand ORVIIA, founded by presenter Yumi Nagashima, will hold its first physical pop-up at Lumine Agri Marche in Shinjuku, Tokyo, from February 20 to 22, 2026. The activation focuses on strawberries from the second harvest, positioned at the seasonal peak in terms of balance between acidity and sweetness.
The pop-up features red and white strawberry varieties, allowing visitors to compare aroma, sweetness, and texture. Yumi Nagashima will be present to explain varietal characteristics and share background from producers. The initiative connects consumers with fruit typically supplied to luxury hotels and restaurants.
Lumine Agri Marche, located outside JR Shinjuku Station at Newoman Shinjuku, promotes links between agriculture and urban consumers. ORVIIA participates during the final three days of the broader event. Opening times are Thursday and Friday from 1 pm to 8 pm, Saturday from 1 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.
Japan’s premium fruit segment has expanded steadily, with strawberries leading the category. Production is conducted under controlled conditions to optimize shape, flavour balance, and uniformity. White varieties have gained market share in recent years due to their mild sweetness and distinct appearance. Consumer demand centres on provenance and harvest timing.
Nagashima previously worked as a presenter on Fuji TV and has reported on agriculture and producers. She founded ORVIIA after testing hundreds of varieties and selecting fruit based on flavour balance. The brand was initially launched online and is now expanding into physical retail.
At the pop-up, ORVIIA presents strawberries selected from more than 300 evaluated varieties. Red cultivars include Akama, Kotoka, and Tochou. White cultivars include Milky Berry, Cotton Berry, and Alabaster Snow. The concept enables side-by-side comparison of different flavour profiles and aftertaste characteristics.
Limited edition packs are available during the event. The 2026 Edition Limited Box Beni contains three red varieties and is priced at US$10.00. The 2026 Edition Limited Box Shiro contains three white varieties and is priced at US$13.20. The ORVIIA CUVÉE box, which combines 15 strawberries from five varieties, is priced at US$105.00 in its standard format.
Strawberries are handled shortly before the event to maintain freshness, with refrigerated transport to Shinjuku. Packaging is designed to protect the fruit structure during distribution.
The event forms part of a broader trend to increase urban engagement with seasonal horticultural production and curated premium fruit offerings in Japan.
Source: mix vale
“只要需求允许，本季我们将继续出口新鲜草莓” FreshPlaza
“只要需求允许，本季我们将继续出口新鲜草莓”
埃及草莓正在经历一个特殊的季节，产量的大幅增加导致草莓价格稳定，而竞争和运输成本的增加则加剧了出口商的困难。Green Tiba 公司的销售经理 Moustafa Shaalan 承认，”与往季相比，本季的产业发生了很多变化”。
这一季的开始时间比往年早，因为种植者急于抢先进入市场，但随着供过于求的情况充斥市场，价格也随之下跌。Shaalan 说：”产量大幅增加，使出口商陷入困境，特别是运输成本的上涨也无济于事。本季我们还不得不对草莓进行多次分拣，尤其是在恶劣天气条件下，以便完成装货计划，并使 Green Tiba 的品牌始终在市场上占有一席之地，无论埃及的天气条件如何。”
“来自希腊、土耳其和伊朗等其他产地的竞争也很激烈。在这种情况下，埃及草莓的需求和出口量受到直接影响。但对所有出口商的影响并不相同，这就是品牌优势的不同之处，”Shaalan 继续说。
随着产量的增加，许多不熟悉出口市场最高残留限量目标的新种植者进入该行业，导致欧洲和英国市场对埃及草莓的控制更加严格。Shaalan 评论道：”遵守最大残留限量标准，以及水果处理、保质期和选择草莓采摘的关键时刻，是埃及种植者之间的差异所在。在 Green Tiba，我们很高兴我们成功地维护了客户的信心，而其他公司却在这个特殊的季节里举步维艰。”
“尽管面临所有这些挑战，我们仍然表现出色，出口量与上一季同期相比增加了 40%。这一结果证明，我们的草莓和我们的经营方式符合最高标准。”
Shaalan 解释了他的成功秘诀：”我们的第一个优势是我们的草莓完全不含农药，符合全球质量控制标准。今年，我们还调整了包装和标签，以满足客户的不同需求。例如，我们推出了情人节主题的特殊包装和不同的标签选择，以满足不同的需求，因为马来西亚的批发商显然与德国或英国的超市有着不同的要求。”
“我们还采用了新的水果分拣和处理技术，以保证新鲜度和延长保质期。这使我们能够保持客户的信任，包括荷兰、德国和英国的超市。”
虽然生产商和出口商现阶段的趋势是转向冷冻领域，但 Shaalan 表示：”在 Green Tiba，我们将继续在本季后期出口新鲜的 Festival 和 Sensation 草莓，只要需求允许。也就是说，直到向欧洲出口的产季结束，然后再向俄罗斯、亚洲和海湾合作委员会国家的其他市场出口。”
欲了解更多信息，请联系：
Moustafa Shaalan
Green Tiba
电话：+201023332544
电子邮件：moustafa.shaalan@greentiba.com 发布日期: 2026年2月12日星期四
