Blueberry Powder Value Decision: Utilizing StePac PPC Smart Packaging to Enhance Blueberry Quality
Published 2025년 11월 21일
Tridge summary
As China's blueberry industry continues to expand in its dual roles as the "world's leading producer" and a "major consumer market," its supply chain is facing unprecedented packaging challenges. How to keep delicate blueberries in optimal condition during long-distance transportation—whether for cross-border exports or domestic circulation—has become a central issue in the industry. Against this backdrop, "International Fruit and Vegetable Report" invited Dr. Gary Ward, Chief Technology Officer of StePacPPC, a global leader in fresh produce packaging, to discuss innovative solutions to this critical problem.
Dr. Ward pointed out that blueberries face three major challenges during storage and transportation: the fruit is highly susceptible to weight loss due to moisture evaporation; exposure to free condensation water can easily lead to microbial spoilage; and the natural powder on the fruit, which protects it, is easily lost during logistics.
For consumers in both domestic and international markets, the visual appeal of blueberries is crucial, and the integrity of the powder is the primary indicator of the fruit's freshness and quality. This not only affects the appearance but also directly impacts the market pricing of the product. In November of last year, Elizabeth Paredes Cruz, a representative of Fiamma (StePacPPC's distributor in Peru), learned from several Chinese importers that in the Chinese market, the condition of the blueberry powder is considered the most critical quality standard—even more important than the fruit's flavor and hardness.
However, traditional packaging technologies often fail to meet these critical needs. Dr. Ward further explained that while the commonly used polyolefin modified atmosphere packaging for blueberries can effectively reduce weight loss due to its low water vapor permeability, this method inevitably leads to the formation of water vapor condensation inside the packaging. "Controlling weight loss is important," he noted, "but the negative effects of water vapor condensation far outweigh its benefits. Free condensation water not only washes away the natural powder on the fruit's surface, affecting its appearance, but also significantly increases the risk of microbial growth."
The breakthrough: Innovative application of high-performance polyamide film
To address these industry challenges, StePacPPC has introduced targeted solutions—the Xtend® and Xflow™ packaging solutions—after years of research and field testing. Both products use high-performance polyamide film materials, which have a higher water vapor permeability that can effectively regulate the humidity inside the packaging. Combined with laser micro-perforation technology to adjust the internal gas composition, these solutions can keep blueberries fresh for up to 45 days in refrigerated conditions. They excel in controlling water vapor condensation, protecting natural powder, enhancing product appearance, inhibiting microbial growth, and improving packaging visibility.
Each solution targets different market needs: Xtend® bulk packaging is suitable for long-term storage and ocean transportation; Xtend® tray covers are ideal for short-term preservation and transportation needs of three to four weeks; while Xflow™ is specifically designed for automated bulk packaging, meeting modern high-efficiency operational requirements and suitable for long-term storage and ocean transportation scenarios.
On November 25, with the theme "Unveiling the Secrets of Freshness..."
Dr. Ward pointed out that blueberries face three major challenges during storage and transportation: the fruit is highly susceptible to weight loss due to moisture evaporation; exposure to free condensation water can easily lead to microbial spoilage; and the natural powder on the fruit, which protects it, is easily lost during logistics.
For consumers in both domestic and international markets, the visual appeal of blueberries is crucial, and the integrity of the powder is the primary indicator of the fruit's freshness and quality. This not only affects the appearance but also directly impacts the market pricing of the product. In November of last year, Elizabeth Paredes Cruz, a representative of Fiamma (StePacPPC's distributor in Peru), learned from several Chinese importers that in the Chinese market, the condition of the blueberry powder is considered the most critical quality standard—even more important than the fruit's flavor and hardness.
However, traditional packaging technologies often fail to meet these critical needs. Dr. Ward further explained that while the commonly used polyolefin modified atmosphere packaging for blueberries can effectively reduce weight loss due to its low water vapor permeability, this method inevitably leads to the formation of water vapor condensation inside the packaging. "Controlling weight loss is important," he noted, "but the negative effects of water vapor condensation far outweigh its benefits. Free condensation water not only washes away the natural powder on the fruit's surface, affecting its appearance, but also significantly increases the risk of microbial growth."
The breakthrough: Innovative application of high-performance polyamide film
To address these industry challenges, StePacPPC has introduced targeted solutions—the Xtend® and Xflow™ packaging solutions—after years of research and field testing. Both products use high-performance polyamide film materials, which have a higher water vapor permeability that can effectively regulate the humidity inside the packaging. Combined with laser micro-perforation technology to adjust the internal gas composition, these solutions can keep blueberries fresh for up to 45 days in refrigerated conditions. They excel in controlling water vapor condensation, protecting natural powder, enhancing product appearance, inhibiting microbial growth, and improving packaging visibility.
Each solution targets different market needs: Xtend® bulk packaging is suitable for long-term storage and ocean transportation; Xtend® tray covers are ideal for short-term preservation and transportation needs of three to four weeks; while Xflow™ is specifically designed for automated bulk packaging, meeting modern high-efficiency operational requirements and suitable for long-term storage and ocean transportation scenarios.
On November 25, with the theme "Unveiling the Secrets of Freshness..."
Original content
As China's blueberry industry continues to expand in its dual roles as the "global leading producer" and "important consumer market," its supply chain is facing unprecedented packaging challenges. How to keep the delicate blueberries in optimal condition during long-distance transportation—whether for cross-border exports or domestic circulation—has become a core issue of industry attention. Against this backdrop, "International Fruit and Vegetable Report" has invited Dr. Gary Ward, Chief Technology Officer of StePacPPC, a global leader in fresh produce packaging, to discuss innovative solutions to this critical problem. Dr. Ward pointed out that blueberries face three major challenges during storage and transportation: the fruit is highly susceptible to weight loss due to moisture evaporation; exposure to free condensed water can easily lead to microbial spoilage; and the natural powder on the fruit, which protects it, is easily lost during logistics. For consumers in both ...
Source: Guojiguoshu
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