Apples key target of research agreement

The agreement is seen as a win-win for AgroFresh and Plant & Food Research who have already worked together in New Zealand for more than 14 years. They aim to leverage their strengths in adding value to and growing New Zealand's horticulture exports, especially apples and kiwifruit.

As part of the agreement a new technical support scientist employed by Plant & Food Research will work primarily on AgroFresh applied research and technology assessment projects, in support of its customers, as well as fundamental science in which AgroFresh has an interest, such as the effects of ethylene on fruit quality.

AgroFresh and Plant & Food Research spokespersons Nick Sanders and TC Chadderton (respectively) agreed: "The success of our agreement will be judged on the ability of New Zealand growers to optimise the use of proprietary technology that grows the pipfruit Industry".

AgroFresh is a global leader in the development and provision of proprietary technologies and products for horticulture markets. Its signature post-harvest technology, SmartFresh has been used commercially in New Zealand for 12 seasons with stored apples to slow respiration and ripening to maintain fruit quality. It is also used with kiwifruit.

Plant & Food Research is a New Zealand-based science company recognised globally for the quality of its research, development and technical support services to the horticulture industry and has undertaken research with AgroFresh for more than 14 years, initially in support of the registration of AgroFresh's SmartFresh technology in New Zealand.

In subsequent years Plant & Food Research has been engaged on a project-by-project basis to refine the use recommendations of SmartFresh by apple varieties, including for the challenging Braeburn and Cox's Orange Pippin varieties, as well as demonstrating the technology's value to customers in managing superficial scald and reducing energy costs.

Under this Agreement, Plant & Food Research will make a dedicated scientist available to work with AgroFresh and its customers, and AgroFresh will make its global research network available to the Institute. The participating parties believe it establishes a solid platform for co-operatively supporting their mutual customers in the forthcoming seasons that will lead to its registration and commercial application in New Zealand."

The Agreement was celebrated at a small function involving some of AgroFresh's customers and other stakeholders at Plant & Food Research's facility in Havelock North.