Experts and researchers analyze packaging in Almería's agri-food production

Experts advise producers to have free choice of packaging

Fruit and vegetable producers in Almería could save 57,2 million euros by using corrugated cardboard packaging.

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La Conference: Packaging and containers as factors of profitability and sustainability in the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector, driven by the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations of Almería (COEXPHAL), It confirms that the correct choice of fruit and vegetable packaging is a key factor in increasing the competitiveness of the sector.

 

The study Comparative cost analysis of packagingIt warns that the use of reusable plastic pool containers instead of corrugated cardboard boxes represents an additional cost of 57,2 million euros for Almería producers.

 

"From COEXPHAL “We believe the sector is losing millions of euros by accepting that distribution chains inefficiently impose packaging without prioritizing economic and environmental factors,” he points out. Luis Miguel Fernandez, manager COEXPHAL“Our members are provincial leaders in export volume, but we must continue working together to achieve free choice of packaging and overcome the existing imbalance between large retailers and producers and marketers,” Fernández concludes.

 

The day, which included the participation of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentIts objective is to promote the competitiveness of the sector through comprehensive studies that analyze the impact on fruit and vegetable producers and marketers of the correct choice of packaging in terms of profitability, environmental impact and food safety.

 

Improve the cost structure

 

Ramón TubíoAn economist specializing in the agri-food sector and author of the comparative cost study, has analyzed the marketing of the most representative products of the Almería fruit and vegetable sector (peppers, cucumbers, various tomato varieties –loose, vine, pear, cherry, and cocktail vine –zucchini, eggplant, and melon) to determine the economic impact of choosing agricultural packaging. His work concludes that “for agricultural producers, corrugated cardboard packaging is more cost-effective than reusable plastic bulk crates,” he notes. Tubío.

 

Taking into account various metrics, the study confirms that using cardboard could be up to 91,17% cheaper for producers. In terms of boxes sold, producers lose between 20 cents and €1,20 if they choose a reusable plastic bin instead of corrugated cardboard packaging; that is, between 2 and 30 cents per kilo if we're talking about product. The savings offered by cardboard can reach up to 27,58% in terms of revenue.

 

To Ramón TubíoChoosing the wrong packaging not only affects the cost structure. Packaging, in addition to protecting products during transport and distribution, can act as a differentiating factor for brand and origin. Plain, uniform plastic bulk boxes, lacking the possibility of printing, hinder brand and origin promotion and the transparency of product information. “This factor has a direct impact on profitability and represents a significant loss not only for producers and distributors but also for large retailers,” Tubío stated. “It is advisable for the sector to form a united front to avoid these distortions that create inefficiencies across the board.”

 

This research shares the same conclusions as a previous study that analyzed the most representative products in the orchards of the Murcia“This is a problem that can be extrapolated to the entire sector, and it is very likely that we would reach the same conclusion if we analyzed other agricultural regions and other types of crops,” concludes Ramón Tubío, head of the Economic Promotion Area of ​​EOSA Consultants.

 

Respectful and sustainable business model

 

Salvador Capuz, professor of Engineering Projects of the Polytechnic University of ValenciaIt is considered important to promote sustainable business models for all links in the agri-food chain. Free choice of packaging would allow producers to opt for the most environmentally friendly packaging.

 

El Department of Engineering Projects of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics (ITENE) A few years ago, a study compared the environmental characteristics of corrugated cardboard packaging versus reusable plastic packaging used in the long-distance transport of fruit and vegetables. The study focused on tomatoes, Spain's most exported product, in its shipment to its main export market. Germany, transporting full truckloads and using equivalent corrugated cardboard boxes and 7 kg folding plastic crates. Subsequently, the study was expanded to the national market and France.

 

 

The additional cost of using plastic pool containers compared to cardboard boxes is between 0,20 and 1,20 euros per box sold – between 2 and 30 cents per kilo of product

 

 

 

The study concluded that “corrugated cardboard boxes have a lower environmental impact than folding plastic boxes in five of the categories considered (climate change, ozone layer depletion, radiation, respirable organics, and land use), regardless of the distance traveled and the final disposal scenarios considered,” it notes. Hood.

 

Although the production phase has a greater impact on corrugated cardboard boxes, collapsible plastic crates are more sensitive to the effects of transport distance. On the one hand, collapsible plastic crates require transport for sanitization and subsequent reuse. On the other hand, their larger external dimensions result in less efficient use of the truck's payload capacity.

 

In the presentation of the professor of the UPV Salvador CapuzThe most widely disseminated international research published in recent years is analyzed, the approaches and hypotheses assumed are compared, and the difference in results between them is explained, defining which parameters are critical when conducting a study comparing the environmental impact of fruit and vegetable boxes and which aspects should be investigated in greater depth in future studies.

 

Packaging is key to product safety and shelf life.

 

Packaging, as well as any surface in contact with fresh fruits and vegetables, represents a risk factor for contamination if it is not in adequate sanitary conditions. Catherine Jacquin, responsible for the Department of Agri-food Hygiene of COEXPHAL And speaker at the conference, he compiles various studies that demonstrate how some aspects of the hygiene of reusable containers are clearly improvable and concludes that single-use containers reduce the risk of contamination.

 

“Current regulations and codes of good practice stipulate the need to package food in suitable and clean containers. The risk of packaging food in a contaminated container is evident, as specified in the quality protocols and certifications to which Almería's fruit and vegetable production is subject,” Jacquin stated.

There are various studies on the microbiological quality of packaging, such as the one from the Department of Food Science of the University of Guelph, or that of the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna These studies demonstrate that some aspects of packaging hygiene can be improved, especially those related to the microbial load that reusable plastic crates can harbor. COEXPHAL has also delved deeper into this topic with its work, "Characterization and control of microbial rot in post-harvest peppers and tomatoes," funded by the Junta de Andalucía“Among the microorganisms detected in the boxes sampled in Almería, in the study carried out by COEXPHAL, are fungi such as Rhizopus stolonifer y Botrytiscinerea "These cause rot and damage to fruits and vegetables. This can lead to a reduction in shelf life and economic losses," Catherine Jacquin warned.

 

“Packaging with higher sanitary quality and the absence of phytopathogenic microorganisms leads to an improvement in quality and shelf life,” Jacquin concluded.

 

Sustainability for business success

 

Environmentally friendly products and services are increasingly valued by consumers, and according to the Institute for Sustainable Production – IPS, committing to sustainability constitutes a competitive advantage for companies.

 

Spain It is a pioneer in promoting sustainability in the business world. The new regulatory framework, stemming from the 2011 Waste Law, encourages the use of containers and packaging made from renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable raw materials—sustainability characteristics explicitly stated in the Law. “The changes in Spanish legislation present producers and packaging manufacturers with options and opportunities that will determine the success and acceptance of their products,” it warned. Jose Cabrera, president of the IPS and moderator of the round table held after the presentation.

 

José Miguel Herrero, Director of the Food Information and Control Agency of MAGRAMA; Teresa Barres, Head of Area of ​​the General Sub-Directorate of Waste of the MAGRAMA and Juan ColominaThe CEO of COEXPHAL participated in this round table discussion focused on the pursuit of sustainability. Following the discussion, the shared request from attendees and experts was the freedom to choose packaging as a key factor in guaranteeing the competitiveness and future development of the sector.