Melon and watermelons are very popular in summer and Agribologna has just introduced special packages containing fruit slices with a shelf-life of 6 days. Traditional filmed slices available in supermarkets have a shelf-life of 2-3 days.
Heat-sealed watermelon packaged with a re-sealable system to keep the product fresh
Agribologna sales manager Massimiliano Moretti explains that the "Fresco Senso Bag project started 3 years ago. The first deliveries were carried out around one month ago for melons and 4 days ago for watermelons. The project was made possible by the Food Department at the University of Bologna and a seed company."
Massimiliano Moretti
"We came up with this idea because consumers require fresh-cut watermelons and melons, but we needed an innovative product. As for watermelons, we opted for a seedless variety with a crunchy firm flesh and a low level of water loss."
Melon in Fresco Senso bags
Once the variety was selected, the University studied a bag that could extend shelf-life up to 6 days while maintaining the cold chain.
Bag with watermelons. Heat-sealed and with a re-sealable system to maintain freshness
"As for watermelons, we're starting the year with 35 tons. We are still waiting on the first feedback. Melons have been available for the past few weeks and we're pleased with how they're doing."
Group photo at Macfrut
Watermelon fruits weigh around 5.5-6 kg per fruit and the slices weigh around 1.2-1.4 kg. Only the rind comes in contact with the packet, meaning the flesh does not oxidise easily.
Melon slices weigh around 600 gram and, in this case too, the variety has a low water loss level with superior organoleptic qualities.
Contacts:
Consorzio Agribologna S.c.a.
Via delle Viti, 5
40127 Bologna (BO) - Italia
Tel.: (+39) 051 994 1200
Fax: (+39) 051 994 1220
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.agribologna.it