Softripe sets the standard

What impact is Softripe having on the market, in terms of producers and retailers?

Roland Wirth: We see that avocado producers and retailers are increasingly recognising the advantages of fruit quality achieved with the Softripe ripening innovation. Producers are using Softripe technology to market even better produce in terms of quality. Retailers are now specifically selling only avocados that have been ripened using the Softripe process to offer consistently better quality and reduce write-offs and losses in-house and on the consumer side.

What new developments or applications are you talking about right now?

RW: New projects for bananas and avocados, which we built last year in Chile, for example, are showing how we can successfully influence the local market. This has enabled retailers to see significant advantages and differences in sales revenue and loss reduction.

Softripe began with bananas and continued with avocados and mangoes. Further improvements in hardware and software are enabling even deeper and more intensive work with fruit physiology, guiding the fruit through the ideal biological ripening process. We are currently at level 4.0. The outstanding fruit quality achieved with avocados is also drawing attention back to Softripe banana ripening. As a result, the overall sales figures for Softripe ripening chambers will continue to increase.

Are there any other categories that could benefit from Softripe?

RW: In the near future, we will be focusing on ripening mangoes and kiwifruit. With mangoes, we want to show that container-shipped mangoes taste just as good as air-shipped mangoes but have a better shelf-life. With kiwifruit, the challenge is to turn a simple ‘rock-hard’ kiwifruit into a tasty, high-quality one with a long shelf-life.

Which new markets offer the greatest potential?

RW: We are already present in 12 countries and would like to enter the US and Asian markets as our next step. In terms of volume, the US is of course very interesting, and in terms of quality, the Japanese market is appealing.

What are the key traits your customers are seeking from ripened fruit?

RW: The Softripe process enables consistent, uniform ripening without surprises. The fruit has a firm, stable skin and the fruit pulp is ready to eat soft. Ideal, stress-free ripening keeps the fruit healthy and significantly extends its shelf-life in the supply chain. In summary – consistent, optimum fruit quality.

What are your aims for the rest of the year?

RW: In December, we are planning to open our ‘Softripe World Service Centre’, with which we aim to further professionalise and improve our customer support. The systems can be monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at the customer’s request, and customer support can be provided quickly and specifically around the clock.