Fresher fruit and vegetable exports

Trials of a new export packaging technology developed by a CSIRO team led by Dr Rob Walker in Merbein, Victoria, have shown it can maintain field freshness of selected fruit and vegetables during extended periods of storage and shipping.

Moisture Control Technology (MCT) is a 'bag in a box' type liner with a unique design.

It works by managing the water vapour content around the produce, reducing moisture loss and keeping fruit and vegetables firm.

Moisture loss during storage and long distance shipping reduces produce quality and saleable weight and leads to discarded produce.

In export trials of cauliflower to Singapore and oranges to USA, MCT liners significantly reduced moisture loss, resulting in firmer produce that looked field-fresh.

With oranges the liner also reduced the incidence of rind defects such as chilling injury and albedo breakdown, which in some years can be a serious concern for the industry.

The new technology has the potential to be combined with other new technologies to significantly extend shelf life and could also help Australia's horticultural exporters reach new overseas markets, currently too far away for surface transport.

CSIRO is now discussing the potential for larger scale export trials of the technology with major exporters of fresh horticultural produce.

This project is supported through the National Innovation Awareness Strategy, an Australian Government initiative.

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