EN
Fresh fruit is a product of senses. Customers purchase by the looks, colors, shine and arrangement, as well as by taste. However, no matter how lovely the berry or cherry or any fruit of the citrus family is, it can appear just so-so in weak packaging. Premium packaging boxes are not just containers for fruit, they serve to protect fragile fruits, prolong shelf life and enhance the unboxing experience. Packing houses and growers of fruit and grocery stores are investing in packaging to improve the value of their brand and customer loyalty. Let's take a look at four ways premium packaging boxes greatly enhance the presentation of fruit.
Crystal - Clear Visibility for Appetite Appeal
The first principle of fruit packaging is simple: the customer should see the fruit. Opaque boxes can be used to conceal the contents and require consumers to either open the boxes or make their own judgment about the quality. Premium packaging is made of clear and high clarity materials which highlight fruit color, size and freshness.
The clear packaging of fruits is done with PET (polyethylene terephthalate). It is transparent, has good impact resistance and has good moisture barrier properties. RPET (recycled PET) is a clear polymer that meets sustainability requirements. A clean PET punnet or clamshell with a smooth and shiny surface will make the fruit appear fresh, for premium cherries, grapes and small stone fruits. The packaging turns into a showcase, rather than a lid.
PLA (polylactic acid) is a good choice for biodegradable solutions, but less impact resistant as PET. PLA can be used for a shorter shelf life and lighter fruits.
Custom Molds and Compartments to Prevent Bruising
Fruit presentation is more than just what the customer sees, it is also about the fruit's condition. Any damage, bruising, crushing or leakage of fruit will damage brand reputation. Custom made packaging boxes are made with premium molds and compartments that will secure each piece within the box.
This type of trays that are customized for each fruit can be produced using vacuum forming technology, as practiced and mastered by Xiamen Xiefa for example. Each cherry or tomato has a cavity which is formed, and is isolated from other cherries and tomatoes. This will ensure that the fruit does not touch other fruit – the leading cause of fruit bruising in transport and handling. A gently contoured surface tray will stop the movement of soft fruits (such as strawberries, raspberries and figs) and absorb vibrations.
The same technology can be applied to mixed fruit boxes, each box compartment being designed to take a different type of fruit. The perceived value of the fruit soars when the customer opens the box and sees the fruit is all in place and pristine.
Ventilation and Condensation Management for Extended Freshness
Beauty is a thing that traps moisture and that is counter-productive. If too much humidity is present in the package, condensation may occur, further stimulating growth of mold and making fruit skins soft. Premium fruit packaging uses engineered ventilation, which is designed to have holes or slots engineered into the packaging to permit ventilation while still retaining its strength.
The right type of ventilation will serve three purposes:
Helps to get rid of extra moisture vapor during respiration.
Does not fog clear lids (which allows fruit to be seen)
Helps prevent the growth of surface mold and bacteria
The pattern, size and the number of ventilation holes should be adjusted to the type of fruit for high respiration fruits such as berries, cherries and cut fruit mixes. Xiamen Xiefa's PET/RPET/PLA processing technology can realize precise design of boxes without affecting the rigidity in the process of venting.
In addition, materials with anti fog coatings remain clear, even when the fruit has been refrigerated. Customers should only see shiny, dry fruit – not a fogged over container.
Sustainable Materials That Appeal to Eco - Conscious Shoppers
Sustainability cannot be overlooked for the presentation of fruits in the modern world. Non recyclable, petroleum based plastic boxes are becoming even more repellent to environmentally conscious consumers, as they are nicely packaged. Today premium packaging has sustainable solutions that provide a visual appeal.
RPET is post consumer recycled with no loss of clarity, strength and food contact safety. Easy drop in alternative to normal PET fruit trays.
Fruit boxes do not need to be completely transparent, so bagasse (sugarcane fibers) or paper would be a great option. A clear PET lid, with molded bagasse trays, offers a sustainable option for a berry tray, while simultaneously providing visibility. The beige bagasse is a natural color, which conveys “eco friendly” to the customers and thus improves the brand image.
Cornstarch and PLA materials will compost and can be used in shorter value chains where industrial composting is an option.
Xiamen Xiefa Vacuum Forming Packaging Co., Ltd. manufactures high quality fruit packaging in all the above materials including PP, RPET/PET, bagasse, paper, cornstarch, PLA and PS. The company has received the ISO 9001, BSCI, BRC, HACCP and GRS certifications from SGS, which means that the company has strict quality control throughout the production process from raw material to finished products. Since 2009, Xiamen Xiefa has been an OEM/ODM expert company, which designs the custom molds, vent patterns and branding according to the fruit type and retail channel.
Summary
The importance of 4 fruit features that a quality package box can display are, the crystal clear visibility of fruit, custom fit sections designed to avoid crushing the fruit and engineered air circulation to maintain freshness. By using a package made with sustainable materials it also attracts environmentally conscious customers. From strawberries to cherries to grapes to fruit salads, proper packaging enhances perceived product value and protect the brand image. Work with Xiamen Xiefa for custom fruit packaging design, sample materials and to learn about how one stop OEM/ODM packaging by Xiamen Xiefa helps put fruit first.
