Cool tech heats up fruit throughput
A new processing model developed by one of New Zealand’s largest apple exporters is reducing the time between harvest and packing by a quarter, boosting fruit quality and shelf life for millions of consumers in Asia and the Middle East while significantly cutting waste.
Mr Apple CEO - Andrew Van Werkum.
The model was created and trialled at a new 7000m² smart logistics facility in Hawke's Bay, which processes around 3000 apple bins daily and is set to help increase global demand for new and emerging premium varietals where visual appearance, firmness and internal condition are critical to growing high-value export returns.
The $24m coolstore will also anchor a new wholesale property investment fund aiming to grow a diversified portfolio of properties across infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing and office and retail sectors to $1 billion within five years.
Mr Apple, a subsidiary of NZX-listed agribusiness group Scales Corporation, is New Zealand’s largest vertically integrated apple grower, packer and exporter.
The company has expanded rapidly over the past 12 months, lifting export volumes by 11 per cent in 2024 to 3.03m tray carton equivalents.
Michael Caccioppoli, head of coolstores, logistics and engineering (post-harvest) for Mr Apple, says the company exports 79 per cent of its fruit each year to more than 33 countries.
Many markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, have strict standards around firmness, colour and sugar levels. Delays in cooling or packing can impact the condition of fruit on arrival.
“The new system lets us move fruit from the orchard into the coolstore and through to the packhouse 25 per cent faster than before.
“This turnaround speed directly supports export quality and by shortening the time from picking to cooling we are able to preserve internal fruit integrity.
“It improves shelf life, reduces quality complaints and lifts the eating experience for millions of consumers around the world – which is critical as we establish markets for new varieties,” he says.
The Hawke's Bay site incorporates a range of smart design elements to maximise efficiency and sustainability. Shorter row depths allow for quicker bin access and faster turnaround, significantly reducing handling time and labour input.
The building layout has been optimised to support a continuous flow of product from arrival to dispatch, avoiding bottlenecks common in older facilities.
Despite its scale and high daily throughput, the operation is managed by a team of just eight staff. Advanced automation and system integration allow the team to monitor and control environmental variables with precision, helping maintain consistent product quality.
“With this facility, we have considered the size of the rooms and the volume of warm fruit we put into the coolstore, so the temperature matches refrigeration capacity perfectly. This allows us to reduce CO₂ levels within the room.”
Caccioppoli says the benefits go beyond speed. The system helps protect margin and reduce risk in a volatile global freight market.
The facility’s performance is also expected to support investor confidence. It will be the initial asset in a new property investment fund managed by Erskine Owen, which aims to reach $1 billion in diversified property holdings within five years.