Executives in all segments of fresh produce continue to grapple with changes in the industry, including more frequent extreme weather events, high prices impacting suppliers and consumers, an evolving labor pool, and the integration of artificial intelligence, among other trends. Here’s what they’re thinking at the start of 2025 and a look at the months ahead.
Sustainability across the supply chain
“In 2024, the produce industry had some big wins in terms of sustainability and continuing to implement environmentally conscious practices,” notes Jim Roberts, president of sales for Naturipe Farms BB #:116078, LLC in Salinas, CA.
Naturipe began the installation of six acres of solar panels in Delano to help to power one of its largest blueberry operations. “Investments in a greener future are invaluable and a huge win in our eyes.”
“For 2025, I believe we’ll see a strong focus on local and sustainable produce in foodservice, especially those tied to climate resilience,” agrees Jin Ju Wilder, vice president of marketing and business development at Vesta Foodservice BB #:125924 in Los Angeles, CA.
She cites regenerative agriculture as an example. “Growers are experimenting with crops that can withstand extreme weather, which has become critical after this past summer’s heatwaves caused quality and shelf-life issues in many growing areas. Expect a rise in ‘heirloom’ varieties and especially those that offer both flavor and resilience.”
Irwin R. Donis-González, associate professor at the University of California, Davis Cooperative Extension for Postharvest Engineering and codirector of the Postharvest Research Center, knows a thing or two about sustainability.
“As environmental concerns grow, consumers and government institutions are demanding eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging options,” he says. “This has led to closer scrutiny of the packaging industry, prompting companies to innovate and find sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, which are largely based on plastics.
“As a result, businesses are exploring options such as plant-based plastics, compostable packaging, and recyclable materials to meet the rising demand for sustainable packaging.”
“Innovations in smart irrigation and water management, including precision irrigation systems, will be essential for addressing water scarcity issues driven by climate change in certain regions,” says Darby McGrath, vice president of research and development at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland Station, ON.
“The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar power in both production settings (like greenhouses) and postharvest facilities (such as cold storage), can help reduce costs and promote sustainability.”
Some innovations address product longevity, which helps reduce food waste.
McGrath sees potential in biopreservation, or using natural preservatives to combat spoilage, as well as further innovations in modified atmosphere packaging and edible coatings.
“Smart packaging is at the forefront, featuring active and intelligent solutions to monitor freshness and provide real-time data on temperature, humidity, and gas composition. And technologies like QR codes and sensors offer consumers insight into optimal storage conditions and remaining shelf life.”
This is an excerpt from the cover story of the January/February 2025 issue of Produce Blueprints magazine. To read the whole issue, click here: https://www.producebluebook.com/#january-february-2025-produce-blueprints/1/
