Readers may want to postpone reading this until lunch as it will conjure up images of the Mediterranean and delicious grilled vegetables.  The subject concerns Spanish vegetables and how they travel from sun-bathed fields to your local restaurant or dinner table.

Traditionally, farmers in Spain have sold their peppers, tomatoes and zucchinis at auction using 10kg plastic crates.  After the sale, the vegetables are frequently repackaged into generic unbranded 5kg plastic boxes ready for shipment to the point of sale.  This transfer increases damages to the produce, increases costs, and delays the transition from farm to fork. 

This is changing. Farmers are increasingly opting for 5kg corrugated boxes designed to take fresh produce from the field, through the auction process and on to their final destinations.  This removes the need for repackaging and reduces storage and transportation costs.

The corrugated box is durable and well ventilated. It can be refrigerated and withstands humidity. Thus the longevity and quality of the vegetables are assured.

Another key differentiator is the printability of corrugated boxes enabling both growers and retailers to promote their brand and convey important information throughout the journey.

Spanish farmers praise the transition to corrugated packaging citing that, as well as reduced costs and damages, their “ready for shipping”packaging even helps their produce achieve higher auction prices!