16/05/2023

PICKBEST project, determination of the optimal harvest time to satisfy the consumer and adapt to new preservation technologies

Giropoma Costa Brava S.L., together with Girona Fruits SCCL and Fructícola Empordà S.L; and with the participation of IRTA as a technological center; is working on the determination of the optimal harvest time of yellow “Golden” and red apples of the “Gala” group to satisfy the consumer and to adapt to the new preservation technologies (PICKBEST). The preferences of apple consumers have been changing over time, towards apples with more color and maturity.

To this trend we have to add the emergence of the application of 1-MCP as well as long shelf life preservation with dynamic atmosphere systems.

All these changes create the need to define new pre-harvest and postharvest parameters to obtain apples that adapt to the new consumption trends. The main objective of PICKBEST will respond to this need through the following specific objectives:

Establish harvesting parameters that maximize consumer satisfaction under the technical itinerary marked by new technologies.
To develop tools and a visual scale of red tone, in the case of “GALA” clones, to determine the optimal harvest time based on the established harvest parameters.

PICKBEST is framed within the aid provided by the Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for agricultural productivity and sustainability, financed by the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

“Project funded through the Operation 16.01.01 Cooperation for Innovation of the Rural Development Program of Catalonia 2014-2022.”

CRONOLOGY

› The Pink Lady®, a successful variety developed under the Club formula

› Giropoma attends the 39th Fruit Day organized by the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology

› Golden, one of the most appreciated apples by consumers

› Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the reference fair of the fruit and vegetable sector and innovation where Giropoma has attended

› The Giropoma production area, the ideal environment for apple tree growing

› The forecasts are successfully achieved and Giropoma closes the harvest with an apple that stands out for its quality

› Giropoma attends the 23rd edition of POMATEC 2023, the Technical-Economic Apple Conference

› Giropoma starts up a new robotic line for the selection and packaging of its apples

› Giropoma collaborates once again this year in the solidarity initiative Gala Pro Baix Ter 2023

› Giropoma predicts a good season despite the drought

› Giropoma attends the Summer Fruit Day organized by the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology

› Giropoma collaborates one more year in the solidarity initiative Gala Pro Baix Ter that will take place on September 30th

› Giropoma is committed to the formation of professionals in the agri-food sector

› The irrigation system based on soil moisture sensors allows Giropoma to be more eficient

› PICKBEST project, determination of the optimal harvest time to satisfy the consumer and adapt to new preservation technologies

› POMELIFE project, renaturalization and promotion of biodiversity in apple tree plantations in Girona

› SCABKILL project, rationalization of the use of phytosanitary products in the control of apple scab

› Candine, the new apple that Giropoma has started to commercialize

› The organic production and marketing line, the Giropoma’s new commitment

› Giropoma attends the 38th Fruit Day organized by the Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology

› Giropoma participates in Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the world’s leading trade fair for the international fresh produce business

› Giropoma starts planting new apple tree farms, which will last until March

› Giropoma’s new commitment to technology: mechanization of the tray packing line

› Giropoma participates in Pink Lady®’s annual technical meeting to share the experience of irrigation based on soil moisture sensors

› Giropoma’s 7 apple varieties: properties and benefits

› Giropoma is committed to energy self-consumption, thanks to an installed capacity of 550 kW of solar panels

› Pink Lady®, one of the varieties produced by Giropoma, organizes the initiative ‘Adopt a tree’

› For the fourteenth consecutive year, Giropoma participates in Fruit Attraction, the main meeting point for fruit distribution

› Giropoma’s integrated production guarantees a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture

› Giropoma collaborates one more year in the charity initiative Gala Pro Baix Ter 2022

› Giropoma boosts its digital presence through new social media channels

› La Gala PRO BAIX TER

› POM-ZERO: APPLE PRODUCTION MINIMIZING THE USE OF CHEMICAL PHYTOSANITARIES

› Frui3CAT New varieties of fruit resistant to pests and diseases and of high sensory quality

› Fresnack: healthy fruit snack