Qukes baby cucumbers are produced hydroponically in Australian glasshouses, where plants are cultivated in a soil-free environment with water and nutrients circulated directly to the roots. From planting seeds, it takes around four to six weeks to reach the first harvest. Seeds germinate within about a week and remain for three weeks in a nursery before being transferred to the glasshouse. After acclimatisation, seedlings begin producing cucumbers in one to two weeks.
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Harvesting takes place daily, with cucumbers picked at the target size to maintain consistency. Each crop remains in production for 10 to 12 weeks, ensuring a steady flow of product to market.
Production areas are limited to a few regions in Australia that provide optimal growing conditions, but the cucumbers are distributed nationwide. Once harvested, they undergo a cooling process lasting one to two days to reduce temperature and preserve freshness. Packaging is done in recyclable plastic punnets with perforated film to retain moisture and keep the cucumbers stable during transport.
According to category manager Daniel Humphreys, "Our cucumbers are packed in recyclable plastic punnets with a perforated film that helps retain moisture while keeping them fresh and crunchy."
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Transport relies on refrigerated systems, with produce delivered to supermarket distribution centres and then to stores within two to five days after harvest. Humphreys added, "It's remarkable that Qukes are typically picked on a Monday and arrive on supermarket shelves by Wednesday of the same week. This quick turnaround means consumers get the freshest produce, as the cucumbers are just a few days old by the time they reach the store."
Maintaining temperature control and preventing moisture loss remain the main challenges during logistics. Advanced refrigeration and packaging solutions are used to address these issues. Humphreys stated, "The packaging plays a key role in managing moisture loss, which keeps our Qukes crisp and crunchy."
For consumers, storing in the refrigerator in the original packaging or an airtight container can extend shelf life to seven to ten days. The cucumbers, fully grown at 8–12 cm, are described as versatile for use in lunchboxes, salads, or as whole snacks.
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Perfection Fresh, which manages production and supply, coordinates logistics and cool chain processes to ensure that Qukes reach retail outlets in stable condition, with quality preserved from harvest to sale.
© Perfection Fresh AustraliaFor more information:
Perfection Fresh Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9763 1877
Email: [email protected]
www.perfection.com.au