An Australian team of fruit and vegetable industry leaders has developed new Near Infra Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) technology that it claims will transform the packing shed and revolutionise the fruit industry.
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The team comprises of The Harvest Company, Horticulture Australia Limited, Color Vision Systems and Central Queensland University, have developed technology not only into a useable commodity for the Australian fruit and vegetable industry but which also incorporates the entire supply chain.
NIRS technology differentiates fruits on internal quality attributes and is robust enough to be used in the common packing shed. The NIRS sorting technology (hardware and software) measures specific variables such as sweetness, juiciness and acidity.
Now in-line as part of the grading process, NIRS technology is supported by agronomic, grading and marketing elements and allows for Australian fruit and vegetable producers to utilise crop growing techniques that are more in line with consumer values – that is a total supply chain solution.
This technology has the capacity to identify the ‘flavour gap’ currently experienced in fresh produce. This is the difference between consumers’ flavour expectations and their actual experiences. By determining where the ‘flavour gaps’ are in fresh produce, NIRS technology can provide a more flavoursome and higher quality fruit for Australians.
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By GlobalDataAccording to The Harvest Company’s General Manager Robert Gray, grading fruit in isolation does not add any value if the consumer does not understand and appreciate the concept.
“Consumers will be educated on the reasons to purchase Guaranteed Sweet fruit and then the positive fruit eating experience will speak for itself. Guaranteed Sweet fruit will become the ‘norm’ and not the exception,” he said.
‘The Flavour Promise’ ® trademark and distinctive labelling and packaging will allow Australian consumers to distinguish the difference between the NIRS sweet fruits and fruit that hasn’t been flavour sorted.
“Sweeter, tastier fruit supported by the agronomic, grading and marketing elements of this team enables us to better meet the needs of Australian consumers and provide a more secure environment for the grower,” said Gray.
Extensive NIRS trials in Kununurra WA, Rockhampton QLD and Bourke NSW have been conducted over the past two years in conjunction with AHR Crop Science with the goal of increasing the yield of sweet fruit through varietal and agronomic practices.
