Case: Optimal ethylene control in long-term storage of kiwiberries

Customer demand

A fruit grower approached us with a specific challenge surrounding the storage of kiwi berries. The produce would be stored in cold storage for an extended period of time (90-120 days), where quality maintenance was crucial.

The customer had already done his own calculation and arrived at a required absorption capacity of 0.43 liters of ethylene per pallet. The question to us was:

• Is this calculation correct?
• Which solution is most appropriate?
• And what is the corresponding price estimate?

The situation

Storage conditions were as follows:

• 50 pallets of kiwi berries
• ±1050 kg per pallet
• Cold storage
• Each pallet provided with one large foil bag

Important detail: the use of a foil bag creates a semi-enclosed environment per pallet, which affects the concentration of ethylene.

The challenge

Kiwiberries are known for their relatively high ethylene production. During prolonged storage, this can lead to:

• Accelerated maturation
• Quality loss
• Shorter shelf life on delivery

The biggest challenge in this case was in:

• The long storage life (up to 120 days)
• The high product mass per pallet
• The underestimate of ethylene production in the initial calculation

Our analysis

Based on experience and data from the manufacturer, we reviewed the customer’s calculation.

Conclusion:

• The estimate of 0.43 liters per pallet was on the low side
• Kiwiberries actually produce more ethylene than is often assumed, especially over long periods of time

In addition, we looked at packaging:

• The foil bag creates a concentrated environment
• This requires a more powerful and palletized solution

Our advice

We recommended the use of ethylene absorbent “blankets” specifically designed for pallet storage.

Our advice:

• 1 ethylene blanket per pallet
• Suitable for both storage and transportation
• Directly applicable within existing working methods

Why this solution:

• Greater absorbency than loose bags
• Better distribution of operation within the pallet
• Effective within a semi-enclosed environment (as with film)

Implementation

Because of the urgency (delivery within one week), we:

• Have the products shipped directly from stock in Spain
• Express shipping arranged to meet deadline

The customer initially ordered a smaller quantity for rapid deployment, with the possibility of scaling up.

Results & follow-up

The delivery arrived successfully and on time. In the follow-up, the customer indicated that:

• The products were well received
• The solution was immediately deployable

In addition, we proactively thought about:

• Future forecast
• Inventory planning to optimize shipping costs

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of realistic ethylene calculations and product-specific knowledge. By applying the right solution at the pallet level, the customer was able to better ensure the quality of kiwifruit during long-term storage.