Supermarket Perimeter - March 2023 - 52

Produce
Grapes
By Andy Nelson
TARRYTOWN, N.Y.-BASED GRAPE SHIPPER AND MARKETER Jac Vandenberg's
SUNRAYS is raising the bar on packaging sustainability.
Vandenberg's SUNRAYS grape brand was celebrated for excellence in package
innovation and sustainable design at the PAC Global Awards, taking home the
Award of Distinction for its SUNRAYS home compostable grape bags.
" It's been a great a honor for our company to be recognized for package
innovation and sustainable design, " said John Paap, brand and marketing manager
for Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. " With the ever increasing global awareness around
sustainability, we understand how important it is to bring innovative packaging
solutions to the market that people can feel good about when they pick it up. While
the produce industry is not necessarily an industry associated with innovation and
cutting-edge packaging and design, we are hoping to change that perception and
inspire others within our industry to join us. "
Vandenberg introduced the SUNRAYS home compostable grape bags to its retail
customers in 2022, offering retailers and consumers the first home compostable
grape pouch bag in the US market.
The bag is made from 20% bio-based polymers, derived from corn starch and
sugar cane, and 80% compostable polymers allowing the bag to fully disintegrate
in three to six months under appropriate home composting conditions. The design
features simple, clear messaging that informs the shopper of its compostable
nature: " I'm not a regular plastic bag. I'm fully home compostable. "
The package also features a unique QR code per package that when scanned
provides the viewer with full transparency of the product contained within the bag
and the packaging itself, such as where the product was grown, how it was grown,
pictures from the farm, the materials that make up the package, how to discard the
package, carbon footprint of the entire pack and more.
NEWER IS BETTER
IN CHILE
More than half of all Chilean grape exports
this season are expected to be newer
varieties, according to an estimate from
the Table Grape Committee of the Chilean
Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).
New varieties will account for almost 37
million boxes, while traditional varieties,
including Red Globe, will make up about
31 million boxes. New white varieties will
exceed 13 million boxes, black varieties 4
million boxes and red varieties 18 million.
Arra 15, Timpson, Sweet Globe,
Autumncrisp, Blanc Seedless and Cotton
Candy are among the main new white
varieties. The standout black varieties
include Sweet Favors, Sable Seedless,
Sweet Sapphire, Maylen and Midnight
Beauty, while Timco, Allison, Sweet
Celebration, Scarlotta Seedless, Arra
29, Jack Salute, Candy Hearts and Ralli
Seedless are among the main players for
newer red varieties.
Volumes from Chile are expected be down
about 8.9% this season, due in large part to
the influx of new varieties.
" Our new estimate shows a slight increase
from December, driven by an increase in
exports of new varieties, especially white
and red, versus a decrease in shipments
of traditional varieties, " said ASOEX's
president, Iván Marambio. " It's great
news that the industry's commitment to
varietal renewal is beginning to be seen in
our shipments, because consumers will be
able to enjoy better tasting, higher quality
Chilean grapes. "
North America will continue to be the
main destination for Chilean grapes, taking
around 37.2 million boxes, followed by Asia
with almost 14 million boxes and Europe
with 9 million boxes.
52 - MARCH 2023
supermarketperimeter.com
SUNRAYS; Natalie Board - stock.adobe.com
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Supermarket Perimeter - March 2023

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