returnable plastic containers for fruit are ideal for exotic varieties

Returnable Plastic Containers for Fruit: Delivering Exotic Flavors Fresh Every Day

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Exotic fruit are no longer a luxury reserved for kings and queens, but a constant presence on everyone’s tables. Thanks to rapidly growing global supply chains, bananas, pineapples, goji, mango and other fruit native to South America, Africa or Asia are now a staple in the fresh produce aisle of all supermarkets. The fact that they’re in such a good shape, after travelling for tens of thousands of miles, is owed to returnable plastic containers for fruit.

A Long and Complex Journey from Plantation to Supermarket

Exotic fruit have a similar journey to automotive parts and components, from the point of view of the complexity of the supply chain. They are harvested from plantations while they are not fully ripe and sent to local warehouses.

Next, all types of fruits are pooled into large export warehouses, where they are packaged and prepared for the overseas journey. This journey involves trucks carrying them to the harbor, a long journey over the ocean, and another journey in different trucks to the client’s central warehouse.

Once they’ve reached this point, the large shipment is broken into smaller batches, distributed either to local distribution hubs or directly to supermarkets. All in all, from farm to store aisle, exotic fruit spend days over the sea and across roads, facing all types of inclement conditions.

Consumers Are More Exigent When Picking Exotic Fruit

When people buy local produce, they may overlook a small dent or marking. But when it comes to exotic fruit, they must look picture perfect – just like in magazines and on TV. This is partly owed to the higher price for this type of product. But there is also the underlying idea that any imperfection means that the fruit is spoiled.

This is why most retailers and distributors pay special attention to the packaging for exotic fruit. Returnable plastic containers for fruit are the norm for medium and short distances.

RPC for Exotic Fruit: Making the Last Miles Easy for Products and Employees

During the longest part of the journey, exotic fruit are safe in large shipping containers. In most of the cases, problems arise once warehouse workers must put them into smaller containers and load them into trailers.

This is when accidents may happen, such as:

  • Workers drop loaded boxes
  • Forklifts malfunction
  • Too much humidity accumulates in closed boxes stored in warehouses without climate control
  • Inadequate stacking, causing dents and marks on the fruit.

While these accidents cannot be always prevented, using returnable plastic container for fruit helps minimize the impact on the products. These professional packaging materials are specifically designed for sensitive fresh produce.

They are successfully used by all types of businesses in the supply chain for fruit and vegetables:

  • Small farms
  • Large agribusinesses
  • Supermarkets
  • Distribution companies.

Key Benefits of Returnable Plastic Containers for Fruit for Delivery and Storage

Let us look at some of the most important benefits and features that make RPCs for exotic fruit the ideal packaging solution:

1. Sturdy Build

Returnable plastic containers for fruit are made of strong PP. Each batch of products undergoes strict tests, including the drop test and the loading test. Thus, they are guaranteed to protect the products within the specifications values specified for each container model and size.

So, even if an employee drops a loaded bale-arm container or EURO stack-nest container 180, the delicate exotic fruit inside will be protected from damage.

2. Special Design to Ensure Ventilation

Ventilation is essential to protect fresh produce from withering and becoming spoilt. Returnable plastic containers for fruit and bale-arm containers have perforated bottoms and walls. These perforations help both with ventilation and with the draining of any liquids that may damage the fruit.

This specific design is ideal for preserving the freshness of the most delicate type of fruit, like papaya, lychee or kiwi.

3. Ergonomic Features for Easy Handling

Even if machines perform a lot of heavy lifting in warehouses, warehouses and store backrooms still need employees to handle boxes and crates. This is why our foldable crates for fruit and our bale arm containers are provided with open handles on the short side.

This design facilitates easy handling, without straining and without the risk of dropping the loaded crates. Your employees will be able to unload trucks, arrange the crates on shelves and supply the aisles faster.

Logistic Packaging produces a complete range of returnable plastic packaging for exotic fruit. Send us an email to start discussing your packaging application with one of our experienced consultants!