Interko Expands At-Source Ripening

INTERKO, the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, is pleased to announce the expansion of its at-source ripening offer in response to growing demand worldwide for Interko’s market-leading, energy-efficient technology.

Interko is partnering increasingly with growers and processors of avocados, mangoes and bananas who wish to ripen fruit in the country of origin for sale to the puréed, smoothie, fresh-cut and frozen fruit markets both domestically and abroad.

So far, ripening expert Interko has accepted substantial orders to install large ripening rooms in Latin America, and sees potential for growth in Spain and North Africa.

The Dutch company recently completed a significant at-source ripening room project for a major avocado processor in Mexico where Interko was commissioned to build eight high-capacity Ultimo rooms – the largest ripening room in its range.

Chris Maat, Interko’s Managing Director/Partner, explains: 

“At-source ripening is really taking off while we remain extremely busy with our traditional end-market ripening business. Interko is receiving a lot of demand for our technology to ripen at the source fruit like avocados for dips/purées; and bananas for baby food, as well as mangoes that will be diced for the smoothie, fresh-cut and frozen fruit markets.”

Maat continues:

“As well as satisfying huge market demand, ripening fruit at the source to sell to the processing industry is also a great way for growers to find avenues for their surplus or lower-grade fruit, which has a positive effect on reducing food waste.”

Maat says the Mexican avocado customer chose Interko because they needed a partner in ripening to make high-quality guacamole.

“They wanted to tap into our years of industry knowledge and ripening expertise,” he points out. “They needed our support in educating their team about how to ripen avocados to perfection for use in guacamole. As the longest-serving ripening room provider in the world, Interko gave them the confidence and capability to achieve that goal.”

Ripening fruit for the processed market is a completely different ballgame, according to Maat. “The ripener’s objectives are different,” he affirms. “When it comes to guacamole, for example, the texture and taste of the fruit is fundamentally what is important, rather than the physical appearance of the fruit.”

Interko offers a whole range of large to small ripening rooms as well as state-of-the-art technologies that can be integrated into new builds or retrofitted within existing rooms. A constant innovator, all of Interko’s solutions are designed to be energy efficient, reduce operating costs, and perfectly ripen fruit for optimal quality, finish and shelf-life.

Any company that is interested in Interko’s ripening technology and know-how should make an appointment to meet the team at Fruit Attraction 2023, which will be held next week on 3-5 October in Madrid, Spain.

Interko’s Managing Director/Partner, Chris Maat, and Project Manager, Narcís Guinart, (both Spanish speakers) together with Sales Director, Anna Zegveld, are attending the three-day trade show. They can be found on the stand of Fresh Produce Instruments in Hall 5, Stand H24.

About Interko

Interko is the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of cost-effective, high-quality and low-maintenance ripening rooms for fresh fruit, and cooling systems for the horticulture sector. Founded over 50 years ago in the Netherlands, Interko develops precise, advanced and energy-efficient systems that are built to last. Since its creation, Interko has installed over 7,000 ripening rooms for bananas, avocados, mangoes, papayas and tomatoes – the earliest of which are still in operation and performing well today. Every year Interko installs around 200 ripening rooms.