This week we bring you further updates from the Greek ARRA™ Varieties’ harvest. In addition, we are delighted to introduce a new ARRA licensed nursery in Peru as well as an interesting new packaging technology.
KAVALA – GREECE
Kavala is the largest table grape growing region in Northern Greece, distinguished by an optimal climate where vine cultivation is ideal for the late harvest.
The Greek growers have been harvesting ARRA Sweeties™ over the past week and are now arriving to their retail customers. This variety is of particular interest among the retailers due to its impressive elongated berries, crispy eating experience and notable quality.
Andre Vermaak, Grapa Global Tech Support, gives us a glimpse into the packing of ARRA Sweeties at the Simvolo packing facilities.
ARRA Mystic Dream™ is known for its outstanding hanging ability, on the vine, with a good berry attachment allowing for great flexibility when it comes to harvest time. This variety is at its peak when it reaches the sugar level of about 18 brix and berry size of 24mm x 26mm. ARRA Mystic Dream’s notable shelf life can easily withstand the journey to supermarket shelf.
Right before harvest: ARRA Mystic Dream at International Fruit
Meet the New ARRA Licensed Nursery in Peru
The new generation of ARRA Varieties has already begun to generate great interest in Peru. The new generation of ARRA Varieties are thriving under the supervision and guidance of Grapasa, ARRA Agent in South America. As part of Grapa’s initiation of upcoming developments in Peru, Viveros El Tambo SAC has been appointed as an authorized nursery for the propagation of ARRA plant material in the country.
Viveros El Tambo will now be one of three authorized nurseries in Peru, alongside: Agrogenesis and Viveros Los Vinedos who will all be part of the ARRA Varieties exciting new future in the country.
Viveros El Tambo S.A.C. was established in 2014 with the expertise and know-how of Viveros El Tambo SpA (Chile), to meet the ever growing need for quality plants of the leading proprietary varieties demanded by the market.
Throughout the production process El Tambo is constantly innovating, applying new technologies, working with high quality standards and practices that respect the environment, while becoming more sustainable every day.
Samuel Escalante, Commercial Director at Viveros El Tambo, says: “We are very happy with this new alliance with Grapa as this collaboration will allow us to offer additional grape varieties in Peru. The ARRA varieties are attractive, grower friendly and meet the requirements of the marketers. This year, we will deliver plants to producers in Piura, Chiclayo and Ica”.
Sustainability is an increasingly important global focus, especially in the evolving fresh produce industry. Grapa embraces innovative strategies and strives to support companies that invest in making the planet a better place.
TIPA’s ultimate mission is to ensure there is a minimal plastic footprint in the sector. With this in mind, TIPA develops and manufactures a variety of flexible compostable packaging solutions that decompose and become compost within a few months just like any organic waste.
TIPA’s ground-breaking packaging provides a full circular solution for flexible plastic waste. Its range of packaging solutions mimics the high-end properties of ordinary plastics such as strength, machinability, transparency, sealability, and printability, without leaving behind pollution and environmental damage at the end of use.
TIPA provides solutions for the entire supply chain, from films and laminates for packaging manufacturers to custom packaging applications for brands, mainly in the fresh, dry, and frozen food industries as well as the fashion industry.
Fresh produce importer and distributor based in New York, Jac Vandenberg Inc. has recently introduced a market-first in sustainable packaging for its Sunrays products which are developed and produced by TIPA.
Now Vandenberg’s Sunrays packaging, just like their citrus counterpart, are certified home compostable.
John Paap, brand manager at Jac Vandenberg says, “In our BIO bags we have a real solution that offers something that looks and feels like traditional plastic but will biodegrade in compost, just like the fruit inside it. We are confident that these bags will help retailers achieve their targets set around zero waste, plastic reduction, and overall sustainability.”
Daphna Nissenbaum CEO and co-founder of TIPA says about food waste: “One of the most promising and simple solutions lies in the problem itself: this wasted food, if composted, could slow climate change and improve soil quality and quantity. When food waste, along with packaging like paper, cardboard and other compostable options, break down in composting facilities or even in backyard compost piles, they don’t produce methane, and they result in carbon-rich soil that can be used everywhere from potted plants to commercial agricultural fields”.
Don’t miss out on these other newsletters:
We have a crush on this intense cherry-colour variety with its large, elongated, berries. This mid-late variety that boasts excellent sugar-acid balance, cherry flavour and sensational crunch, delights in appearance, taste and eating experience. Proven to be fully rain resistant, the variety also has excellent fertility and exceptional storage ability. It is the ultimate long shipping variety with the best shelf life in the industry.
ARRA CHERRY CRUSH™ literally has it all!
In short: THE ULTIMATE RED.
This established early red variety boasts a beautiful, natural, full red colour. It’s large, crunchy berries offer a fantastic eating quality. Good productivity, extraordinary hanging ability, shipping durability and shelf life, make it a choice early red.
The earliest existing red variety in the market ripens naturally 4-5 days before Flame. The advantageous short cycle, natural full red colour, together with large, sweet, crunchy berries make this a perfect Flame replacement. ARRA Fire Kiss has proven to be very fertile and grower friendly, as well as bearing great post-harvest and shipping qualities.