Longer shelf live – Naturally

An Artificial intelligence-based process for the precise ripening of avocados and mangoes. 

As one of the first companies in Europe, exotic fruit specialist TFC-Holland in Maasdijk, the Netherlands, has opted for the new Softripe® technology. This artificial intelligence based process convinces with an innovative, optimised ripening process and is characterised by a higher fruit quality as well as a significantly longer shelf life of the products – completely without the use of additives. This significantly minimises markdowns and fruit losses along the value chain. 

“Although the industry is currently focusing on the preservation of ripened fruit by applying protective layers, the decision for softriping as a state-of-the-art ripening technology is currently the more obvious and sustainable step for us to bring perfectly ripened avocados and mangoes with a significantly longer shelf life to our customers’ fruit & vegetables sections”, explains CEO Falk Schlusnus. 

With more than 200 fruit and vegetable products from over 50 countries, TFC-Holland is a strong partner of food retailers across Europe with the highest standards of customer orientation and tailor-made solutions. 

The Softripe process focuses on fruit respiration and thus the “well-being” of the fruit during the ripening process. The atmosphere in the ripening chamber is permanently monitored by AI-supported technology and continuously adjusted individually in relation to the fruit’s respective metabolic processes. This not only produces optimised, more uniform ripening results, but also fruit that stands out on the shelves of the retailer as well as under normal household conditions for the consumer due to a significantly longer shelf life. Blind tests have also shown that Softripe® avocados are said to have better sensory properties than fruit from conventional ripening methods due to their more aromatic, nuttier flavour and creamier consistency. Internal quality defects, such as vascular browning, a discolouration of the fibres in the fruit flesh, which is possible with avocados, can also be significantly reduced with the new technology. 

TFC’s sister company Worldwide Fruit in the UK is also already working very successfully with this technology after an extensive series of tests and extremely positive results with various fruits. 

“The very homogeneous and consistently high ripening qualities have convinced us,” confirms Falk Schlusnus, who has accompanied this forward-looking investment at TFC since 2019 and helped get it off the ground. “By using Softripe®, we are redefining the highest fruit quality and will successively expand the application of the process to other products.” The claim is to reduce food losses along the value chain and to offer customers not only fruit that is ripe for consumption, but also perfect, aromatic and sweet fruit with a longer shelf life that they can reliably rely on with every purchase.