Overall demand for pomegranates has increased recently, on all continents, says Yagmur Ozbutun, Export Area Executive at Ser Pak Packaging: "Pomegranates have become one of the most sought-after fruits in global markets, not only because of their high antioxidant content and health benefits but also due to their growing role as a 'superfood'. From Europe to the Middle East, and from the Americas to Asia, demand continues to rise. Yet despite these qualities, pomegranates remain one of the most challenging fruits to export. Their delicate nature makes them vulnerable to quality losses during storage and shipment."
© Serpak Ambalaj
On the left are pomegranates on the first day, on the right are the pomegranates after 90 days
Storing these pomegranates over longer periods of time can lead to several challenges, Ozbutun emphasizes. "One of the most common challenges in storage is water loss. As the fruit dehydrates, the skin wrinkles, edges shrink, and both visual quality and weight decline. For exporters, this translates directly into economic loss. In addition, skin discoloration and blemishes reduce market appeal, while fungal infections that appear in a single crate can quickly spread across an entire storage facility, putting the whole shipment at risk."
The packaging that Ser Pak offers deals with these challenges specifically, Ozbutun explains: "Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) has proven to be the most effective solution to these issues. Pomegranates stored in MAP remain safe during storage and transport, and trials have shown they can keep their freshness and quality for up to 90 days. Inside the package, moisture is balanced, reducing dehydration and shrivelling. Weight loss is minimized, skin color and gloss are preserved, and crates with fungal issues are effectively isolated from the rest of the storage environment."
© Serpak Ambalaj
Pomegranates 90th day results with Prolong
Ozbutun states that delays during transport can also occur, which can lead to similar issues. "The challenges of pomegranate exports do not end in storage. During transport, temporary breaks in the cold chain, delays at ports, or extended loading and unloading processes can quickly compromise quality. MAP acts as a safeguard in these situations, protecting the fruit against sudden risks in logistics."
"In international trade, many buyers specifically request MAP-packed pomegranates, especially when planning to store them before releasing them to the market. This is because MAP provides not only longer shelf life but also a stronger perception of hygiene and reliability, which are increasingly important in consumer markets."
Ahead of the pomegranate season, Ser Pak conducts tests and trials in several countries to evaluate the effectiveness of its Prolong® MAP packaging solutions: "These studies, carried out in countries such as Turkey, the United States, Spain, and Italy, demonstrate the ability of Prolong to maintain freshness and minimize losses. Based on the results, solutions are tailored to the specific requirements of each market, creating opportunities for new collaborations during the season. We also hold BRCGS (British Retail Consortium) certification, underlining that our packaging solutions meet the highest international standards," Ozbutun concludes.
Ser Pak Packaging will be exhibiting at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. You can find their booth in Hall 14, stand C05-4.
For more information:
Yagmur Ozbutun
Ser Pak Packaging
Tel: +90 533 073 70 98
[email protected]
https://www.serpak.com.tr/en