DECCO Ibérica Secures Registration for DECCO Zox: Europe’s First Azoxystrobin-Based Postharvest Citrus Protection Product

DECCO, global specialist in solutions for the protection of fruits and vegetables in postharvest, adds to its extensive catalogue of solutions the registration of azoxystrobin in Spain, DECCO Zox, in citrus in postharvest, being the first and only registration in Europe. This achievement not only reinforces its commitment to innovation, but also opens up new opportunities to extend the shelf life of citrus and reduce food losses, promoting more sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

Azoxystrobin, recognized for its effectiveness in protecting against post-harvest pathogens, represents a key tool to prolong the shelf life of citrus, reducing losses due to diseases and helping to maintain superior quality during storage and transport.

The European citrus industry faces significant challenges, including the growing demands of international markets, the control of post-harvest diseases and the pressure to adopt sustainable solutions. With the introduction of DECCO Zox for post-harvest, DECCO offers an innovative and effective response to these demands.

Julio Marin, Business Manager of DECCO Ibérica, said:

"We are proud to lead with solutions that not only protect products, but also combat food waste and promote sustainability." 

What is DECCO Zox and why is it important?

Azoxystrobin is a broad-spectrum fungicide belonging to the strobilurin family, recognized for its high efficacy in controlling pathogenic fungi that affect fruits and vegetables. It acts by inhibiting the mitochondrial respiration of fungi, which interrupts their life cycle, preventing the development of diseases that compromise the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Key benefits of DECCO Zox in postharvest disease control management:

• Effective resistance management: It has a unique mechanism of action that inhibits fungal respiration, slowing down their development and significantly reducing the emergence of resistance
• Broad spectrum control: It is effective against a wide variety of postharvest pathogens, including those responsible for rot and deterioration, ensuring fresher fruits.
• Long-lasting protection: It provides long-lasting action in order to maintain the freshness and quality of citrus fruits during storage and transport, even in long-distance shipments.
• Mixture compatibility: In combination with other fungicides, DECCO Zox optimizes disease control by offering a synergy that enhances its effectiveness while allowing for diversification of modes of action.
• Fruit quality preservation: Helps preserve the appearance, quality and commercial value of citrus fruits, maximizing return on investment by reducing postharvest disease losses and allowing for more fruit.

A comprehensive approach to sustainability

The launch of DECCO Zox in Spain not only represents a technological breakthrough, but is also aligned with DECCO’s sustainability goals, reinforcing its commitment to providing innovative solutions that benefit both its customers and the environment. Marin added:

“With this new solution, we are helping producers meet the challenges of a changing world, where reducing food losses and improving food safety are more important than ever”.

DECCO will continue to invest in research and development to expand the applications of this technology and explore new methods to improve the post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables.