SanLucar launches new premium banana concept

In cooperation with ripening specialist vanWylick, the premium brand for fruit and vegetables starts at the end of February the ripening of SanLucar bananas with new innovative technology of sustainable ripening. 

SanLucar bananas grow exclusively in the coastal region of “Los Ríos” in Ecuador where they thrive in a tropical-warm climate that is perfect for bananas. To ensure that they reach the consumer in optimal premium quality every day, banana ripening is a fundamental process in the supply chain. To provide this, SanLucar has found in Germany a strong new partner in vanWylick. Through a modern, sustainable, and careful ripening technology, the company addresses the needs of the fruit and ripens the bananas in a controlled manner. Tests have shown that this leads to a better taste and a longer shelf life.

In traditional ripening systems, the fruit is often ripened according to a predefined scheme, standardized parameters, and a lot of manual work. However, in modern ripening systems it is possible to monitor the process exactly and therefore provide stress-free and careful ripening.  The applied technology makes use of intelligent software control which enables dynamic calculation and adjustment of the optimal fruit ripening settings. The system controls permanently all natural air and respiration gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and the fruit gas ethylene.  Therefore, it can adjust the optimal settings for the fruit that will be ripened. During the entire process, the fruits are placed in a gas-tight, closed chamber in which the respiratory activity and thus the physiological condition of the fruits are continuously measured. The harmonious interaction of oxygen, heat, humidity, and ethylene - while maintaining the CO2 level - ensures that the bananas develop gently until they are ready for consumption. 

The agricultural area also makes a valuable contribution to the special quality of SanLucar bananas. Hacienda Magdalena is located in a region that is particularly well suited for even growth and careful cultivation. The SanLucar bananas ripen particularly uniform for a period of 12-14 weeks in the central coastal region of Ecuador. The temperature and rainfall conditions facilitate a quality-focused and sustainable cultivation. For that reason, fertilizers and pesticides are only used when absolutely necessary. As additional action to protect environment, native trees are planted along the riverbanks. All in line with the SanLucar corporate philosophy: “Taste in harmony with people and nature”. As part of the company’s commitment in the region, SanLucar employees receive free meals (breakfast and lunch) and their children benefit from school scholarships, as well as the DREAMS school support program in the surrounding communities. “With our green products from Ecuador and the new sustainable and careful ripening technique, SanLucar launches a new premium banana. The aim is to convince our customers with quality, appearance, taste, shelf life and a real premium banana during the 12 months of the year”, states Armin Rehberg, SanLucar CEO Operations.

In the store, SanLucar is accompanying the sale and presentation of the bananas with secondary placements, as well as promotional actions and materials. The first SanLucar bananas with the new careful and sustainable ripening technology can be expected from the beginning of March.

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