StePac supports China’s cherry boom with bulk solutions for Chilean packers

28 Feb 2022 --- StePac’s Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) solutions are experiencing increased demand from Chilean cherry packers and exporters, especially during the recent China cherry export season ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

In response to the boom in Cherry exports from Chile to China and wider Asia, Chilean Packers have turned to StePac’s novel Xflow proprietary films, inbuilt with properties tailored specifically to automated bulk-packaging and long-term storage and cherry shipments.

Packers report that Xflow has significantly lowered their dependency on labor and enhanced food safety by minimizing handling during the packing process. Beyond the boost in operational efficiency, the packaging represents a considerable reduction in plastic packaging. Moreover, MAP technology provides stakeholders with product shelf life extension, food waste reductions and lowered shipping costs associated with sea freight.

“The exponential growth in cherry exports, coupled with major labor shortages, created major challenges for Chilean cherry packing houses, calling for more sophisticated packing operations to accommodate both jump in volume and the short and intensive packing season for cherries,” explains Dr. Gary Ward, business development manager at StePac.

Innova Market Insights recently revealed “Food Waste Fighters” as its top packaging trend for 2022. The climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and political upheavals have elevated food waste concerns, spotlighting the importance of shelf life-extending packaging for preserving perishable foods across complex, international supply chains.

Evolving logistical needs
StePac has been working with Chilean distributor Empack to diversify its bulk and retail packaging portfolio to meet this high-demand fruit’s evolving logistical needs and preserve its full freshness, flavor and nutritional value. The lengthy journey from Chile to Chinese consumers can last up to 35 days.

Xflow film can be easily adapted to automatic fillers and packaging lines.The versatile Xflow film is especially suited to 2.5 kg and 5 kg packages and easily adapted to automatic fillers and packaging lines, allowing for reduced handling and less labor dependency.

The lean film also effectively reduces plastic consumption by up to 40%, according to StePac. More than a dozen exporters of cherries successfully used this product during the 2021/22 Chilean cherry season.

With more than 44,000 hectares (almost 110,000 acres) of land dedicated to cherry cultivation, yielding more than 300 K tons in annual cherry exports, Chile is the leading global exporter of cherries and on a trajectory for further year-to-year growth.

StePac reiterates its packaging formats have proven instrumental in helping the packers transition from manual to faster and more efficient automatized processes to counter the recent labor shortage hurdles.

Good luck charm
More than 95% of cherries grown in Chile are exported to the Far East, mainly China, with the bulk of shipments timed to arrive in time for the Chinese New Year. Cherries are considered an ideal gift for the Chinese New Year, as their red color and round shape represent fortune, prosperity, and eternity in Chinese tradition.

Meanwhile, StePac’s Xgo resealable top-seal/lidding film has gained popularity in the Chinese e-commerce and retail sectors since the last Chilean cherry season.

“This attractive, functional retail packaging solution was designed to take the value of StePac’s MAP technology to the consumer and has been eagerly embraced by our customers in China,” says Guillermo Perez, category manager for Empack.

“We currently supply 20 Chilean exporters cherry punnets sealed with personalized printed-lidding films that house smaller 500 g to 2 kg cherry volumes for the Chinese retail sector.”Xgo’s label can be resealed, reactivating preservation functionality for multiple cherry servings.

Resealable preservation 
Xgo’s advanced, lightweight top seal is infused with StePac’s MAP life-extension properties. Each time the label is resealed, the preservation activity is regenerated, making it ideal for multiple cherry servings. The films can also be easily integrated into automated cherry packing lines and save the need for repacking in China.

“The two novel products have garnered excellent feedback from our Chilean partners. They have reported up to 50% reduction in labor costs associated with sealing, while the customers in China welcomed the boost in customer experience owed to the new lidding film,” continues Ward.

“We found a strong partner in Empack, who massively invested in flowpack and topseal machinery to propel the smooth transition to automation and to support customers that don’t have their own. Based on these unqualified successes, we are eyeing the northern hemisphere cherry market and expect our products to be adopted widely there in the forthcoming season.” 

Its full line of advanced MAP products will be showcased at the upcoming Fruit Logistica 2022 in Berlin, April 5-7.

PackagingInsights recently spoke to Ward about his perspectives on France’s plastic packaging ban on some fruit and vegetables.

By Joshua Poole