With fresh vegetable sales boosted by people cooking more at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, many potato fresh packers are stretched to capacity. Some are even turning away work because they are too busy to handle it. Other packhouses, however, have the capacity to spare but are unable to win new business. Two very different situations, but frequently explainable by the same reason: technical capabilities. Packers can no longer gain or retain big customers without having the technologies which enable them to operate with high productivity and flexibility.

One of the unforeseen consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is the large increase in demand for fresh fruit and vegetables. This means that some potato fresh packers are now busier than ever, but not without a couple of challenges. The first is the pressure on packing lines to achieve greater throughputs without compromising product quality. The second is the need for more workers at a time when manual labor is especially scarce.

Free, downloadable publication addresses challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic

The solutions provided by sorting technologies are more necessary now than ever before.

Marco Colombo has been appointed as Global Category Director of Potatoes. Born and raised in Italy, Marco acquired a B.A in foreign languages from the University of Milan. Later, he also completed the Advanced Leadership Program at Ashridge Business School in the United Kingdom. Professionally, Marco has spent my entire career in the food and beverage industry. In his most recent role at Out of Home Business Unit at Lamb Weston Meijer, he was responsible for all commercial activities in the regions as the Head of Southern Europe, Brazil, and the Maghreb region.  

Organic production is classified as a farm management and food production system which follows the best environmental practices, has high levels of biodiversity, preserves natural resources and applies high standards of animal welfare. The use of synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are prohibited during production.

On the market since 1892 and now run by the founding family’s fifth generation, RAGO’s strengths lay in its sustainability and innovation. Every single process in the company is monitored and meets stringent quality parameters – from the production on its 500 acres through to packaging and shipment of the product.

Turkey’s leading hazelnut exporter, Durak Findik, has further increased its production capacity to meet export demand by investing in automation technologies. By acquiring five new TOMRA Nimbus BSI+ sorting machines, which will also ensure product quality and food safety, Durak Findik has increased to 28 the total number of TOMRA machines at its hazelnut processing facilities in Ordu, Samsun, and Hendek-Sakarya.

New digital publication offers nut processors valuable advice 

This is the story of a family farm in the North of France, handed down from father to sons some twenty years ago. Over two decades, the sons have earned a fine reputation in the washed potato business.