By Midge Munro – Group Communications and Marketing Manager, Darling Group.
Just Avocados Ltd (Katikati) commenced packing avocados for the new season in early June. Fruit volume picked has been limited to sale in the New Zealand market with export commencing shortly.
Glen Dunseath, CEO NZ Operations at Darling Group says the packhouse machinery and Just Avocados team have had an outstanding start to the season with new technology and learnings from last season contributing to efficiencies and cost savings.
“The packhouse team have the machinery humming and the knowledge garnered from last year’s development of the new MAF RODA fruit handling line is showing real benefits.
“Larger pack runs combined with a small seasonal team has meant Just Avocados has reduced the cost per tray and maximised our daily packed numbers compared to last season.”
Just Avocados has also been able to start the season with a significant reduction in waste produced by pallet wrap. The packhouse is using a new eco-friendly wrap (NT804 Macro Wrap) which is fully recyclable and ventilated.
“The new pallet wrap has brought about a reduction in waste per pallet from 205 grams of netted wrap to 84 grams of Macro Wrap.”
Dunseath says it is early days but based on forecasted throughput over the next one to three seasons, the use of NT804 Macro Wrap will produce projected environmental savings of 1395kg and cost savings of $8600.00 per year.
“We have also dropped the use of corner-boards because of Macro Wrap’s superior pallet securement which sees the cost savings push out to $40,000 plus per year.”
Currently this product is used right throughout the Australian avocado sector and is well established in other sectors of New Zealand horticulture; however, it is in early stages of use in the avocado industry with Just Avocados as the front runner.