Hort Air owner Jason Anderson believes Controlled Atmosphere storage systems are going to increasingly come into favour, as greater volumes of kiwifruit come on to the market. Some packhouse operators agree, but note the industry is still going through a learning curve in packing out the new Gold (G3) variety from Controlled Atmosphere rooms into trays.
Mr Anderson, who is based in Tauranga but works across the country in key fruit-growing regions, holds the New Zealand and Australian agency for leading French manufacturer Absoger.
"Controlled Atmosphere storage is going to have to come more into play," said Mr Anderson, who predicted packhouses and storage facilities would have difficulties managing the additional volumes of kiwifruit with G3 coming onstream.
Sealed Controlled Atmosphere room systems slow down the ripening process and effectively send the fruit into hibernation. "With Controlled Atmosphere rooms, packhouses can hold the fruit for longer."
In addition to handling Absoger, Hort Air has also developed an extensive parts supply network that allows the company to service most systems used in New Zealand.