Unica’s bite-sized cucumber scoops prize in the Fresh Produce category
Unica has received the Fresh Produce award at Fruit Attraction’s 2026 Innovation Hub Awards for Popits, its bite-sized cucumber.
Measuring 4-5cm, Popits combine sweetness, a crunchy texture, and uniformity in a format that doesn’t require cutting nor peeling, making them ideal for the snacking category. According to Unica, they are designed for children, young people, and consumers seeking healthy alternatives to processed snacks – whether for lunchboxes, the workplace, social gatherings, or on-the-go consumption.
“A key factor in their successful reception has been bringing the conventions of the snacking category into the fresh produce world, thereby creating new consumption occasions,” the company said. “Their development adapted marketing strategies used by major consumer brands: a recognisable identity, a distinctive format, and a design and logo capable of communicating the product’s value on their own.”
Furthermore, Unica said the variety offers distinct advantages to farmers as it allows for a 20 per cent increase in yield and a reduction in waste of up to 25 per cent.
Unica said prize reinforces its commitment to innovation that bridges the needs of the agricultural sector with modern consumption habits.
During the fair, the group organised a live cooking demonstration led by Pablo Ruiz – a fermentation specialist from La Dolorosa Lab – showcasing the product’s versatility through creations such as a croquette featuring Popits, fermented cucumber, and syrup-based preparations, as well as dishes incorporating tartar sauce or green curry with coconut milk.
