The nominations for Fruit Logistica Innovation Awards 2017 are out – with innovators from all over Europe competing for the coveted prize for a groundbreaking product.
The prestigious award is considered to be the most important of its kind within the fresh produce industry and will be presented in Berlin on February 10, 2017, the final day of the trade event.
“The Fruit Logistica Innovation Award attracts considerable media attention and recognises new products and services whose market launch in recent months will give important impetus to the international fresh produce trade,” says Fruit Logistica global brand manager Wilfried Wollbold.
Last year’s winner, Spain’s Genuine Coconut, beat nine other innovations with its unique 100 percent organic raw coconut water that can be consumed directly from the shell thanks to ring pull patented technology. The seedless Israeli ‘Aurora’ papaya was crowned winner in 2015.
This year’s winner will be chosen by more than 70,000 trade visitors from over 130 countries who attend the exhibition. They are invited to cast their vote for the innovation of the year on the first two days of the trade fair.
These are the 10 finalists, who were chosen by a panel of experts.
“BE-Cube Demountable Palletbox System” – Beekenkamp Verpakkingen B.V., Netherlands
A demountable pallet box system that weighs less than comparable plastic and wooden pallet boxes, but its specially developed construction makes it just as strong.
“Crisp Fresh Watermelon” – Syngenta, France
Fresh-cut watermelon sticks that come as the result of a ‘unique research programme’. They leave little waste at the factory and shed little liquid into the pack, while remaining juicy and well-coloured for consumers.
“Knox™– Delayed pinking in fresh cut lettuce” – Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV, Netherlands
The result of 10 years of development, the Knox lettuce can extend shelf life by around two days due to delayed pinking, thus contributing to better inventory management for retailers and reducing their waste.
“Mango Peeler & De-Cheeker” – ZTI Smart Machines, Netherlands
The Mango Peeler-de-Cheeker peels the mango and removes the ‘cheeks’ in a single operation. Once the fruit has been positioned the machine takes the mango by the stone, releasing it only when the cheeks have been removed.
“Natupol Excel – Bumble Bee Vision” – Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands
The ‘bee vision’ features on the new range of Koppert hives have been designed to help bumblebees navigate in other unfavourable conditions, which can cause orientation problems.
“SoFruBox System” – SoFruPak, Poland
The SoFruBox System is described as an efficient way to cool fruit. The design offers low cooling resistance and the recyclable boxes can be folded flat for ease of transportation and storage.
“Streamer Automatic Spiralizer” – Turatti srl, Italy
Turatti has developed a system to turn vegetables and hard fruits into new healthy nutritious vegetarian products. The Model Streamer is designed to automatically obtain a wide range of spiralized products, with different shapes and sizes.
“Sustainable Grow Bag for Tasty Tomatoes” – Greenyard Horticulture Belgium, Belgium
A fully compostable growbag filled with 100% organic substrate for the cultivation of greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes and other products.
“The Cracking Monkey –Pili Nuts” – Die Frischebox GmbH, Germany
A pre-germinated nut from the Philippines with high levels of vitamin E, pre-scored for easy opening with the special stainless steel cracker and sold in environmentally friendly cotton bags.
“yello – The Colour of Taste” – VI.P / VOG, Italy
A sweet and crunchy yellow apple variety of Shinano Gold, a Japanese cross between Golden Delicious and Senshu.
