Cherries, appreciated for their sweet flavor and juicy texture, are also among the most delicate and perishable fruits. Ensuring they reach consumers in optimal condition is a crucial challenge for the fruit and vegetable sector.
Addressing this need is Fruit Control Equipments (FCE), a company that has developed an innovative system based on three technological pillars: rapid cooling, controlled atmosphere (CA), and air sanitization. All of this is achieved without the use of chemical additives.
After harvest, cherries quickly begin to deteriorate due to ambient temperatures. To slow down this process, it is essential to lower their temperature immediately.
The CHYC™ HydroCooler system by FCE enables uniform and rapid cooling down to +1/+2 °C, using an innovative shower system that prevents thermal shock. This method not only preserves the organoleptic properties of cherries but also maintains their crispness and juiciness, extending their shelf life.
Once cooled, cherries must be stored in optimal conditions to keep their freshness intact. Managing oxygen and carbon dioxide plays a key role in this process.
The Flex Fruit Case (FFC) technology allows CA to be applied directly to pallets, precisely regulating gas levels to slow down the fruit's metabolism. This system enables cherries to be stored for up to 60 days without the use of chemical preservatives, ensuring consistent quality throughout the distribution chain and reducing product waste.
Beyond temperature and atmosphere control, the quality of the air in storage environments also plays a crucial role in preserving cherries.
The IONNY® system by FCE uses advanced ionization technology to reduce microbial load in the environment, eliminating fungi, yeasts, and bacteria. This approach improves hygienic conditions, preventing the spread of pathogens and protecting the product's freshness without using chemical substances.
Thanks to these cutting-edge solutions, producers and distributors can ensure a product that is always fresh and safe, optimizing the entire supply chain.
FCE’s technological innovation represents a significant step forward for a more sustainable agriculture, reducing reliance on chemical additives and enhancing the natural quality of cherries.
Text and images: poscosecha.com
28 May 2024
To show nurserymen, growers and retailers the varieties, BLOOM FRESH organised the International Cherry Open Day. Forty international participants from Chile, Brazil, Spain, Greece, Italy, UK, South Africa and Australia gathered in Spain.
24 Mar 2026
Cherry farming in Mendoza offers strong opportunities thanks to favorable climate conditions and advanced management. Nutrition, soil health, and agronomic practices are key to achieving high-quality fruit for competitive international export markets.
18 Sep 2026
Canada and the US settle the dispute over Staccato® cherries. Monson Fruit Company will pay past and future royalties, stop propagating new Staccato® trees through 2029 and refrain from exporting fruit outside the US through 2032, ending a six-year long legal battle.
18 Sep 2026
Centro Fruticultura Sur will host a seminar in Chillán, Chile, on protected fruit cultivation, featuring two new publications on covered cherry production and European hazelnut physiology and management, with tools to address climate variability in modern orchards.
