Calendar and formats

Calendar and formats

Harvesting and marketing

Nature provides us with products of high quality, experience teaches us how to walk... but all is lost if you do not keep abreast of the times, investing in human resources and technologies. We know how to keep our land fertile, in absolute respect for the environment. We have implemented the principal international quality certification systems. The services offered by our staff allow for the continuous updating of the corporate base and ensure the consistency of our intentions. Knowing how to work well was taught to us by our predecessors. Now, confident in our assets and determined to keep improving the resources on the field, we will always continue to enhancing the capital which is our produce. Fruit Modena Group knows the value of time, and this is why it designates specific periods for harvesting and selling its fruit. The harvest starts in mid-July, for the earliest varieties and continues until late September, while the time to go to market takes into account the different period of preservation of the fruit in cold storage.

The love of knowledge

Informing consumers is one of the most important commitments of a producer. In nature, in fact, quality is seen in specific forms – knowing how to identify these forms is of great interest. Pears must have bright skin; the stalk should be brown, turgid and firmly attached to the fruit. To recognize a ripe pear, just press it gently in the area close to the stalk: if it is slightly soft, the fruit is ready to be eaten.

It is important not to keep pears together with other fruits and vegetables (e.g. apples) because, like pears themselves, they also produce ethylene, a natural gas that can accelerate their ripening. This phenomenon can be used to your advantage if you want to ripen the pears more quickly by putting them in a paper bag at room temperature: the ethylene will be held by the paper and facilitates the rapid ripening of the fruit, while the humidity will help keep the pear soft and prevent it from wilting. Since the brown paper breathes, no mould will occur. If the pear has already been peeled and the pulp becomes oxidized due to contact with the air, simply pour a syrup of water and lemon over it.

Selling formats

Packages of single-layer cardboard

In the packing stage, the single-layer format is the most frequently adopted because its lends a better visual display, does not suffer the crushing problems and is more convenient to handle. The range of boxes available includes the classic formats of 40x60x9 cm and 30x50x9 cm, the former mainly for hypermarkets, supermarkets and discount stores, while the latter is more in demand from traditional retailers. Consequently, the 40x60x9 cm is more suitable for self-service sales, while the second provides for a bulk sale or the retailer assistance . Sometimes the 24x40x9 cm box is also requested, it is normally covered by plastic film and makes a net weight of 2 kg; this package is practical and suitable for small families purchase.

Single-layer wooden box

The format that monopolizes this material is 30x5x9 cm and it is widely requested by traditional retail and mini-marts. It lends a more rustic image to the product although cardboard is much better in terms of its light weight and convenience. These boxes are the benchmark format for long distances outside the EU.

Plastic packages

Container pooling solutions for fruit and vegetables are increasingly adopted by large-scale distribution on the Old Continent. This is certainly more advantageous in terms of environmental management because they are not throw-away packages, such as wood and cardboard, and in the future they will become increasingly important.

Boxes with double-layer cardboard

Operationally they are used where the produce is going to be re-processed by a thirdy party company between Fruit Modena Group and the distributor.

Bulk packs

These are wooden boxes of various sizes (typically having a 30x50 cm base and variable height), in which the pears may have been sorted by size, but need not have been. Sometimes, the wooden crates can be substituted with cardboard boxes of a similar size. These are suitable for high household consumption or for reprocessing by third party specialists.

Small packages

Wired punnets are small packages, usually 1 kg net weight, which are well suited for "Best Price" products (small calibres or grade B products). The trays have the advantage of convenience and are well suited to the needs of small families. Filmed trays, punnets and clamshells are suitable for high-end products and high service due to the convenience of the unopened package, making it possible for customers to choose without assistance in large supermarkets.