Crops

Lars-Gunnar Edh, executive vice president of the Lantmännen Energy Sector and CEO of Lantmännen Biorefineries and Mike O’Riordan, Ingredion’s senior vice president of Texture and Healthful Solutions in EMEA. (Image source: Ingredion)

Leading global provider of ingredient solutions for food, beverage and industrial applications, Ingredion Inc recently announced its long term collaboration with agricultural cooperative, Lantmännen

The partnership will aid in the development of a differentiated portfolio of plant-based protein isolates based on yellow peas. A state-of–the-art production plant will also be built in Sweden, with its completion scheduled in 2027. 

According to Ingredion’s senior vice president of texture and healthful solutions in EMEA, Mike O’Riordan, expanding their footprint in the European market marked a new milestone in their strategy to solidify their position as a global leader in the plant-based protein industry.  

“This partnership allows us to leverage our combined strengths to deliver superior, sustainably sourced pea protein isolates that meet the evolving needs of the global market,” O’Riordan added.

Modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses. (Image source: JOSKIN)

Once considered a waste product, liquid manure is now recognised as a valuable fertilising resource, with some factories producing liquid wastes such as vinasse, molasses or sludge, which also contain valuable fertilising elements for agriculture

To optimise the properties of these effluents and minimise losses, particularly of ammonia, a specific spreading equipment is required. This reduction in losses limits odour nuisance and economic losses. Traditional spreading methods, such as scatterers, were imprecise and lacked homogeneity, resulting in significant nitrogen losses. In response, modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses.

JOSKIN spreading booms and implements, such as those with line hoses or skids, have transformed effluent spreading practices. Line spreading booms deposit the liquid directly at the foot of the plants, limiting contact with the air and reducing volatile losses by over 35%. JOSKIN Pendislide line spreading booms with skids, on the other hand, apply nutrients to the soil without contaminating plants, reducing volatile losses by up to 50%. The slurry tanker can also be fitted with a JOSKIN arable injector, which mixes soil and effluent. In this way, waste is used optimally and losses are practically nil.

Technological advances, combined with increasingly stringent regulations, are fostering a more sustainable agriculture. The latest generation of JOSKIN spreading implements preserves the fertilising properties of liquid effluent and reduces the cost of mineral fertilisers, making this investment more profitable. Thanks to the efficient use of livestock effluents, these innovations enable a profitable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture.

The latest innovation demonstrates the longstanding collaboration between Valio and Berry, and the strength of the partnership between the two businesses. (Image source: Berry)

Berry Global has launched a revolutionary packaging solution to help Finnish dairy pioneer Valio meet its commitment to significantly reduce plastic usage by 2026

Valio aims to cut down the usage of plastic in its single-use and single-serve packaging by 15%, as part of which its popular range of PROfeel protein puddings are being switched to a custom-designed version of Berry’sCombiLight pot. 

The CombiLight is a hybrid packaging solution made from a plastic skeleton and carton sleeve, which are melted together to create a strong structure. Valio had already switched its quark products to the CombiLight, but for the puddings the conversion required the development of a new coating with enhanced barrier properties to ensure optimal shelf life.

Working in collaboration with Stora Enso, a leader in barrier technology, the new barrier solution was achieved by Berry. In addition to reducing food waste, this extended shelf life will also provide better export opportunities for Valio.

The protein-rich PROfeel puddings will be available in various flavours including chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-meringue and will be launched by the company in the new packaging this December. Some notable features like enhanced print quality as well as a printable bottom surface for the display of important product information will allow a clean, polished look on the sides of the pot, in turn creating better branding opportunities for Valio.

“Working with Berry is a pleasure,” said Valio’s head of Packaging Development, Juhana Pilkama. “Their team is not only willing to try new things, but they are also highly reliable and open in their approach. We have regular meetings to align on projects and share ideas, and that has been crucial in developing the enhanced CombiLight pot. We could not be more satisfied with the result.”   

In an attempt to drive the consumption of South African stone fruit, Hortgro will once again be using a wide-ranging marketing campaign to support the season in the UK. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Following disruption from weather and logistical issues during the 2023/24 period, South African stone fruit growers are predicting a better 2024/25 export season 

The export crops for nectarines, plums and apricots are all expected to rise against last year on the back of investment in the planted area and new varieties, while there is cautious optimism that strategic changes at the Port of Cape Town will result in a more reliable service.

Industry body Hortgro has forecast the season total for nectarines to rise by 4% to 9.12 million cartons. The early crop is however likely to be adversely affected by the weather, with early varieties set to be down 8% compared to the previous season. Plum volumes are also projected to increase by 12% to an average-sized crop. Exports are expected to reach 13.7 million cartons, thanks to more favourable weather conditions and new plantings coming on stream. 

In an attempt to drive the consumption of South African stone fruit, Hortgro will once again be using a wide-ranging marketing campaign to support the season in the UK. This will include everything from recipe creation, retailer activity, trade and consumer press releases, to feature articles, trade advertising, social media, influencer collaboration and much more!

The objective of the campaign is to maximise visibility at point of sale and highlight not only the exceptional taste of the druit, but also the country's most sustainable source of south hemisphere stone fruit. 

While the impact of logistical issues have mostly been focused around the Port of Cape Town, Hortgro believes that a turning point in the crisis has been reached. Another challenging season is however expected to lie ahead, due to which the industry seeks to utilise alternative modes of shipping. Although this will likely add cost, it will however ensure on-time deliveries of quality fruit and a timely fulfillment of clients' programmes. 

For long term benefits, the strategic replacement and refurbishment of equipment and machinery is being implemented by logistics operator Transnet at the Port of Cape Town, while also contracting maintenance and related services and appointing additional staff. All this is expected to boost productivity.

Nevertheless, Hortgro is nevertheless preparing for challenges such as downtime on equipment and wind delays, and is contingency planning for alternative modes and nodes of shipping such as the use of specialised reefer vessels and other ports in the Eastern Cape and Durban.

“South African stone fruit will continue to meet the market’s expectations for high-quality and great-tasting produce," said Jacques du Preez, general manager of trade and markets at Hortgro. "South African growers are positive about the 2024/25 harvest and export season. Continuous delivery of top-quality, great-tasting fruit remains the aim, and will lead to repeat sales. But it’s important suppliers receive fair returns from the market after several years of having to contend with severe price pressure and adverse weather.”