Türkiye stands as the world’s largest producer and exporter of figs. In 2020, Türkiye’s fig production spanned 575.000 decares, producing 356.000 tons of figs, with 57,3% of this area in Aydın, yielding an impressive 203,000 tons. Alongside Aydın, İzmir and Bursa are also significant production regions. In 2023, Türkiye became the world’s top exporter of fresh and dried figs, achieving $339 million in fig exports and shipping 89.443 metric tons globally. Turkish figs were especially popular in markets like Germany, the United States, and France, with Germany alone importing $59 million worth of figs, totaling nearly 14.000 metric tons.
However, fresh figs are highly perishable, typically remaining viable for only ten days in conventional storage. This limited shelf life challenges exporters aiming to reach distant markets and maintain quality standards demanded by international buyers. Addressing this issue, FreshSens, an innovative technology company specializing in advanced fresh fruit storage and monitoring solutions, is redefining the storage techniques of perishable fruits and vegetables through innovative methods that reduce postharvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency, EastFruit informs.
Recently, FreshSens collaborated with Cherry Fig, a leading grower of a wide variety of figs, and Perla Fruit, a leading exporter of Turkish black figs, to demonstrate the impact of its storage technology on extending and predicting the storage time of fresh figs. This case study underscores the effectiveness of FreshSens technology in preserving fruit quality, meeting market demands, and enhancing export potential, particularly during the off-season.
FreshSens operates at the intersection of horticulture and storage technologies, focusing on reducing postharvest losses and creating a smarter storage environment for fresh produce.
“Using AI and IoT-powered technologies, a CA system integrated with real-time monitoring and prediction, FreshSens monitors oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature and humidity levels to slow down and measure ripening. For figs, known for their delicate structure and high perishability, this technology represents a breakthrough in quality preservation, extending their typical storage time by almost three times”, Baran Baykurt Emiroğlu, FreshSens CEO.
Case Study: Preserving the Delicate Quality of Fresh Figs for 28 Days at Perla Fruit
Fresh figs are particularly sensitive to temperature and atmosphere, with a conventional storage time of about ten days. However, FreshSens technology enabled Cherry Fig & Perla Fruit to store ‘Bursa Siyahı’ figs for an impressive 28 days while maintaining the fruit’s firmness, color, and flavor quality. By retaining the optimal O2 and CO₂ concentrations, FreshSens was able to decelerate the fig’s ripening process without the need for chemicals.
Key Results:
- Extended Storage Time: FreshSens preserved figs for 28 days, almost tripling their conventional shelf life.
- Reduced Weight Loss: Figs stored with FreshSens showed 10 times less weight loss compared to traditional methods.
- High Marketability Rate: After 28 days, 100% of FreshSens-stored figs were deemed marketable, while figs in conventional storage showed only 65% marketability.
This extension allows suppliers like Cherry Fig & Perla Fruit to respond to market fluctuations more flexibly, Store in production peaks, and take advantage of end or off-season pricing opportunities.
FreshSens combines CA storage with advanced monitoring sensors to continuously measure O₂, CO₂, temperature, and humidity ensuring optimal conditions for fresh produce. For figs, FreshSens units decreased the respiration rate and ethylene production, which are critical factors in slowing down ripening. The monitoring system provided real-time data, enabling Cherry Fig & Perla Fruit to manage the figs’ quality throughout the storage period, making FreshSens a game-changer in horticultural supply chains.
During the 28-day storage period, FreshSens assessed quality based on several parameters, including weight loss, visual appearance, taste, total soluble solids, physiological disorders, and marketability rate. FreshSens sensors recorded critical data within the CA boxes, and the most significant economic metrics were weight loss and marketability percentage, both of which showed exceptional results with FreshSens technology.
“Cherry Fig Agri Company experimented with FreshSens Technology at the Perla Fruit Facility in Bursa, Türkiye, successfully storing figs for over 30 days while maintaining their harvest-day freshness.
The harvest season for a fig variety like Bursa Siyahı typically lasts around 60 days. During this period, we were able to supply the market when volumes were low and extend the season’s final stages. Using FreshSens Technology not only helps extend the season and maintain high quality but also allows for increased profitability by shifting figs from a low-price period to a high-price period.
Looking ahead, we plan to use FreshSens Technology to transport fresh figs over longer distances, particularly to Far Eastern countries, via sea freight in a controlled atmosphere supply chain. This approach will make us more cost-competitive while ensuring excellent product quality,” says Mr. Yavuz Taner, Food Engineer (University of Washington) at Cherry Fig Agri Company.
Cherry Fig & Perla Fruit’s feedback highlighted the exceptional performance of FreshSens technology in maintaining fig quality. The FreshSens-stored figs retained their visual appeal, firmness, and flavor even after 28 days. This success in fig storage demonstrates the technology’s adaptability and potential for other fruits and vegetables, with wide-reaching benefits for exporters and retailers alike.
“This successful fig storage case with FreshSens has provided insights into optimal storage, maturity stages, and atmosphere management. Harvesting figs at ⅔ commercial maturity stage and refining storage conditions allowed for maximized storage duration and marketability. With these insights, FreshSens is poised to refine its solutions further and expand its reach to other horticultural products.
The partnership between FreshSens, Cherry Fig, and Perla Fruit, demonstrates the transformative potential of FreshSens technology in horticulture. By preserving freshness, enhancing flexibility, and reducing losses, FreshSens is setting a new standard for postharvest storage and monitoring solutions. As more producers adopt FreshSens, the industry can look forward to a future where fresh fruits and vegetables reach consumers in prime condition, regardless of season or distance”, says Qasid Ali, Ph.D., a postharvest physiologist at FreshSens.
With such technology, Turkish fig exporters can now address a broader range of logistical and market challenges:
FreshSens enables exporters to maintain product quality during longer shipping times, making it feasible to serve markets that were previously out of reach.
By extending storage time, FreshSens allows suppliers to enter off-season markets and achieve higher prices.
With 100% marketability at 28 days, FreshSens reduces losses due to spoilage, directly impacting the profitability of Turkish fig exports.
As demand for fresh and high-quality figs continues to grow globally, FreshSens offers fig exporters a technological advantage in the competitive international market.
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